SA Migration International

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George Moyo | Not all foreign nationals are illegal

Source: City Press, 30/08/2024

George Moyo, a businessman and ANC activist, argues that not all foreign nationals are illegals. Those who are in the country legally should be treated with kindness and due respect.
My name is George Dingizulu Moyo. I disagree with the notion that South Africans no longer want black foreign nationals.
As an ordinary South African born and raised in Alexandra, I believe we should welcome everyone, regardless of race or nationality.
However, for government administration purposes, I think it`s essential that everyone - black, yellow, or white - be registered when entering or leaving the country. Those who wish to work, become residents, or citizens should go through proper Home Affairs processes and obtain necessary qualifications.
Although I was born in Alex, my father Jackson Ngoya Moyo was a Zimbabwean from Plumtree.
He arrived in South Africa in 1936 and was influenced by the African National Congress of Zimbabwe under the ANC Presidency of Joshua Nkomo and later was introduced to the ANC of South Africa by his country man Thomas Nkobi.
Yes, Nkobi, who would later become treasurer general of the ANC and a close confidant of Oliver Tambo, was Zimbabwean by birth.
My father lived in Sophiatown and Alexandra, where we coexisted with people from various backgrounds - Mozambicans, Malawians, Batswana, Ba Sotho, Swazis, Coloureds, Indians, and whites.
My mother is a South African from the Xaba family, related to the Radebe, Dhlamini, and Mthimkhulu clans.
I was involved in the struggle against Apartheid and later worked at the ANC headquarters, Shell House, after the organization was unbanned. I registered and trademarked ANC and protected the image of Nelson Mandela . I headed the 1994 Election Merchandise Project.
My cousin brother Dan Moyo was imprisoned on Robben Island, and his elder brother Koki was part of MK Special Ops, later became a Ltn. Colonel in VIP Presidential Protection Unit and Madiba`s bodyguard since 1991 and continued to serve for over 30 years.
Our uncle Jayson Moyo in ZAPU and Joe Modise of MK as a senior Commanders were responsible for the unity of MK and ZIPRA to fight side by side against Ian Smith and apartheid armed forces in Wankie and Sipholile in Zimbabwe.
Alexandra has a rich history of intergenerational growth, with children of foreign nationals interconnected with South Africans.
While acknowledging colonial borders, I believe we should embrace Ubuntu and treat each other with kindness and respect.
However, illegal immigrants should be addressed to bring order and focus on growing Africa together.
I totally agree that the government must be hard on foreign illegals and clean up corruption in Home Affairs, and as South Africans, we must begin to take the eradication of any corruption seriously and assist our government.
I want to counter the harmful narrative that African nationals are to be feared and hated.
Not all foreigners are unauthorised, and many contribute positively to our society. Let`s work towards a more balanced perspective, recognising the complexity of migration and the value of our diversity.

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