Features
The recurring xenophobia in South Africa
I am an unapologetic Pan-Africanist. I love my roots, first as Ewe, Ghanaian and then African. Even if I had the chance I would not take on another nationality. I am no racist either, and I hate to see one group of people look down on another. Though, the news of imminent xenophobic attacks must be worrying.
I have followed the history of South Africa for as long as I can remember. The first I heard of that country was one Chaka Zulu. It turned out he was a King of the Zulu kingdom, King Chaka. He was said to be a fierce and ruthless warrior king and tyrant who loved to see his own people killed at a whim, according to the narrative at the time.
I again read of the arrival of the Boers in that country in 1652 and later, the domination of the natives by the settlers. As time went on, a system of government was introduced that made the blacks/natives subservient to the settlers/Boers/whites; a system christened Apartheid. It took a lot of agitation by the rest of the world, especially the rest of Africa, and economic strangulation for the whites to relinquish their political hold on the country.
Under Apartheid, the only source of release for the blacks was through music, aside of their compatriots who took the fight to the Boers. It was then easy to describe South African music as music of suffering people. Their music was distinct and it brought emotions to us who knew of their suffering. We simply called it Zulu music.
The vocals, instruments and the rhythms carried a certain bone-chilling resonance that caught one’s attention. It still has same effect on those of us old enough to know what South Africa was going through.
We heard of freedom fighters like Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli and many more. Archbishop Desmond Tutu fought the system from within. Some were in prison and others fled the country and fought the cause from exile. By his oratory, courage and principle, Mandela became the face of the struggle against the Apartheid regime. His persona loomed large even from the notorious Roben Island prison.
The Sharpville Massacre, followed later by the murder of Steve Biko on September 12, 1977, gave impetus and momentum to the struggle. All of Africa took the fight to the world, asking for the isolation of South Africa from all world events, including sports and trade. Many countries, including Ghana, hosted their exiles, educated some of them and trained quite a number in the art of the military.
However, the blacks were not denied formal education; their textbooks tailored in servitude to the whites and their businesses. The men broke their backs in the mines and the women were mostly domestic servants to the whites. The rest of us felt their pain.
Trumpeter Hugh Masekela came to Ghana after his divorce from his then wife, Miriam Makeba, who later married African-Amerrican civil rights activist, Stokely Carmichael with whom she settled in Conakry, Guinea. Masekela and Makeba projected their cause to the world with their music.
When I saw Mandela on our High Street in Accra in 1992, I could see in his aura a man destined to champion a purpose. The Madiba did not mean for his people to become xenophobic in their national life. Sadly, that is what has lately become an annual affair in south Africa.
A friend told me only recently that we should have allowed the whites to continue their domination of the blacks if we knew this is how we shall be repaid for our support for the black cause.
Now, whites, coloured and Indians are accepted even if they are visitors or legally resident in that country. Africans of other nationalities, irrespective of their immigrant status, are regarded as foreigners and must be attacked, their businesses destroyed or are hounded out of the country.
It makes sense for us to feel betrayed and angered by the xenophobic attacks on other Africans in South Africa. But wait a minute: do those folks know the role played by the rest of Africa in their struggle against Apartheid? If they knew, I believe the narrative will be different.
Did the likes of Mandela, Govan Mbeki and others tell their people about those other countries that supported their struggle? None that I heard of. Even in his autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom Mandela only mentioned his military training in Libya in passing. Because the whites controlled the media in that country at the time, the blacks had no idea who were fighting for them from outside.
As far as they were concerned, it was their struggle. Not even the role of neighbours Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe was known to them. So, citizens of these neighbours who are in South Africa are seen as parasites feeding on their country’s wealth and depriving them of job opportunities.
West Africans, especially Nigerians and Ghanaians, have distinct features from the Southern Africans, so they are easier targets.
Until their textbooks are rewritten to reflect the true history of the global fight for their freedom, many South Africans, in their ignorance, will blame “foreigners” for all their conditions. Their government must make it a clear policy to tell the story truthfully for the education and understanding of their people. This needs a conscious effort to accomplish.
But if their leaders are as ignorant as the people they lead, the likelihood of South Africa facing isolation once again is on the horizon. After all, migrant labour is known to have helped in developing economies worldwide.
I suggest to governments whose citizens are mostly affected by these xenophobic attacks make a representation to the South African government to tell its citizens what role their countries played in that country’s anti Apartheid struggle. The rest of Africa needs South Africa as it also needs the rest of us.
Personally, I have no appetite for visiting South Africa under a cloud of unannounced burst of anger and revulsion towards foreigners. If our countries had refused to shelter their exiled freedom fighters, where would that country be at this point in their history?
Instead of getting angry at this behaviour of these people, I pity them rather. I pity them because if they continue on this trajectory, by the time the realisation of reality dawns on them, there will not be even one friend standing by their side.
I do not yet know if the African Union (AU) has said anything about this phenomenon in South Africa, a country that wants to be known as Azania. Asking the leaders of South Africa to rein in this emerging rowdyism cannot be tantamount to interference in that country’s internal affairs.
What does it profit these people to attack foreigners, loot their property and live off the spoils of the attack and when all is finished, regroup and launch fresh attacks? Then the cycle continues. Meanwhile, South African businesses are opening up all over the African continent without hindrance, so what is their beef with foreigners?
South Africa risks isolation if their leaders look on while this becomes a national character. If that is what they want, the choice is entirely theirs.
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
Writer’s email address: akofa45@yahoo.com
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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