Zuma was due to leave for Indonesia Saturday evening for a state visit and to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the commemoration of the historic summit in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955 which brought together Africa and Asia to push forward the struggle for liberation and self-determination.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will replace Zuma in Indonesia, presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said.
The president is to lead a stakeholder outreach program in the country next week. Ministers and deputy ministers will also engage South Africans and stakeholders next week in an Imbizo (consultation) and stakeholder program leading up to Freedom Day, on April 27, according to Maharaj.
The meetings will be focused on strengthening the existing support for peace and peaceful coexistence among all peace loving South Africans while also listening to concerns being raised by some communities, said Maharaj.
Later Saturday, Zuma visited the displaced foreign nationals in Chatsworth in Durban, accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and other government officials.
"As government, we're not saying to you go away. It is not every South African who is saying go away. It is a very small number of people who say so," Zuma said.
"We are firstly going to stop the violence then allow them to stay here. Even those who want to go home, they must know that when we have stopped the violence they are welcome to come back," he added.
Maharaj said the president thanks the South African public and the South African media for coming out against xenophobia and the attacks on foreign nationals in various parts of the country in many campaigns.
Zuma also thanks the international community including the African Union and the United Nations, for support during this difficult period for the country, said Maharaj.
"We reiterate our message that there can be no justification for the attacks on foreign nationals. We will engage stakeholders next week as we need all leaders to work together to bring the situation to normality," Maharaj quoted Zuma as saying.
Source:Xinhua - china.org.cn
19/4/15
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President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday his country is not driving foreigners away after days of violence against foreigners in parts of the country...
ReplyDelete"As government, we're not saying to you go away. It is not every South African who is saying go away. It is a very small number of people who say so," Zuma told a group of displaced foreigners at a camp in Chatsworth, Durban.
Zuma was visiting the camp, accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and other government officials.
"We are firstly going to stop the violence then allow them to stay here. Even those who want to go home, they must know that when we have stopped the violence they are welcome to come back," Zuma said.
But he said his government was ready help repatriate foreigners who want to go back to their home countries.
Despite the South African government's pledge to ensure the safety of foreigners, some African countries are already beginning to repatriate their citizens.
Zimbabwe's ambassador to South Africa Isaac Moyo said Zimbabwe would on Sunday start repatriating about 1,000 Zimbabweans affected by the attacks in Durban.
The Malawi government has also started its repatriation process......Xinhua....globaltimes.cn
South Africa anti-immigrant violence: Hundreds held...
ReplyDeleteMore than 300 people have been arrested in South Africa in connection with a wave of violence against immigrants from other parts of Africa, the minister of home affairs says.
Malusi Gigaba issued a warning to those responsible, saying that they would be subject to "the full might of the law".
At least six people have been killed in the past two weeks.
Armed groups have targeted shops run by African immigrants, accusing them of taking jobs from locals.
Thousands of foreigners have fled their homes to shelter in makeshift camps, and neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique have announced plans to evacuate citizens....bbc.com
19/4/15