Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma Slams President Ramaphosa Over His Apology for Treatment of Foreign Nationals
- March and March has responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa's apology for the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa
- Ramaphosa told leaders at the Southern African Development Community that he was ashamed of what transpired in the country
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's response to Ramaphosa's apology
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
KWAZULU-NATAL – Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has publicly slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa for expressing shame over recent anti-illegal immigration activities in South Africa.
Ramaphosa was addressing Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders when he stated that he was ashamed of attacks carried out against foreign nationals living in the country.
His remarks come amid numerous demonstrations in South Africa, as anti-illegal immigration groups have called for undocumented foreign nationals. The wave of protests has led to many African nations accusing South Africa of being xenophobic.
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March and March hits back at Ramaphosa's remarks
Speaking outside the Durban International Convention Centre on the final day of the SADC Summit, where March and March staged a lengthy protest, Ngobese-Zuma said the president's words revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of the public's concerns. She argued that framing the situation as xenophobia misrepresents what is actually driving South Africans to protest.
"You know, if the government wants to have a proper discussion, they need to address the issue for what it is without calling it xenophobia because it is not xenophobia.
“For the president to say I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed, it paints a wrong picture of a president that doesn't understand why his people are out in the streets today. There's nothing to be ashamed of. The people that should have been ashamed are the ones whose people keep flocking into someone else's country claiming to be looking for opportunities," she said.
South Africans divided over President's apology
Ngobese-Zuma’s remarks drew a sharp response from members of the public on social media, with opinions split.
Godwill Busani Mdabantu Ndukwana wrote:
"South Africa is part of the SADC, part of Africa, and part of the global community. It cannot thrive in isolation. Without meaningful regional integration and cooperation, the issue of migration cannot be effectively addressed."
Sephiwe Ephraim commented:
"Abahambe, finish and klaar!"
Elisa Tala said:
"We are not sorry. We don't apologise."
Trevor Ndlela stated:
"He's not speaking on our behalf."
Master Mb pushed back, writing:
"I'm sure he was not apologising on behalf of her and her entitled followers who think it's only their voice that matters. He was probably apologising on behalf of South Africans who are not driven by tribal hatred and understand international relations."
Mafete Ryzone added:
"ANC does not care about South Africans, honestly."
Ramaphosa insists that South Africans aren't xenophobic
Briefly News reported previously that President Ramaphosa weighed in on the recent tensions in South Africa between locals and foreign nationals.
The president insisted that South Africans were not xenophobic, saying that they wanted to live together with other Africans in the country.
South Africans weighed in on Ramaphosa's statement, sharing mixed reactions to his view on the actions of citizens.
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Source: Briefly News
