KAAX is outraged by the complete lies and divisiveness promoted by the fake “news” being circulated on social media in response to our public call to action against xenophobia on Human Rights Day, 21 March 2022. It is now being spread on Instagram by Operation Dudula xenophobe-in-chief, “Lux”Dlamini, whose video clip is nothing short of an illegal incitement to violence. The fake poster claims that “Illegal Immigrants” are holding a “March against SA Laws”and that “Immigration Laws Must Fall”. In a dangerous and desperate attempt to stoke further violence against immigrants and to divide the Black working class, these liars are trying to delegitimise our campaign which is comprised of a very diverse group of people: employed, unemployed, trade unionists, artists, local South Africans and migrants from all over the world.
Our march on Human Rights Day is legal and the police have been notified. Indeed, it is a direct affirmation of the constitutional and human right of all who live and work in South Africa to gather, protest and to be heard. Furthermore, our initiative has been mainly driven by South Africans who believe that any person in our country should be protected from discrimination, thuggery and violence. We would like to clarify that KAAX stands for “Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia”. Kopanang is a (South African) seSotho word which when translated into English means, “to come together”, unite, and learn from each other.
This fake “news” is typical of the approach followed by Operation Dudula which promotes hatred of those who are the most vulnerable and exploited, fuels racial tension and deflects attention from the real enemy which is racial capitalism, unemployment and government as well as corporate austerity. Groups such as #OperationDudula and #PutSouthAfricansFirst disingenuously blame migrants for unemployment and crime.
Today Operation Dudula is stirring xenophobic hatred, spreading lies and misinformation – just like the British public relations firm Bell Pottinger did on behalf of the Guptas. We cannot stand by and allow these opportunists and charlatans to attack and try to destroy our democracy, which was won through the struggles and sacrifices of people in both South and Southern Africa. Operation Dudula and those behind it are spitting on the graves of all who died fighting to liberate
South African and other African societies from colonialism. In this, we call on the South African media to think twice about giving ever-expanding media space to those who promote such lies, hatred and division – the more such space is provided, the more our own hard-fought-for- freedoms, struggles for inclusivity as well as non-discriminatory and anti-hate laws are undermined.
Join us in the fight against xenophobia, racism, gender-based exploitation and classism as we pay tribute to all who were murdered by the apartheid police during the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 as well as celebrate and embrace human rights for all. Only a united Africa will lead us away from an inhumane system and all the hatred, division, greed, violence and desperation that it spawns.
DOWN WITH FAKE “NEWS” STOP THE LIES AND HATRED!
NO TO XENOPHOBIA! YES TO OUR COMMON HUMANITY!
JOIN THE ONE AFRICA MARCH ON 21 MARCH 2022
IN JOHANNESBURG: Meet at Pieter Roos Park (Empire Rd., Parktown) at 9am. March starts at 10:30am.
The march will then head to Hillbrow Police Station, then down Commissioner St. to the JHB Central Police Station. Then to John Vorster before departing at Museum Africa.
IN CAPE TOWN: Meet at Kaizergracht street (near CPUT) at 8.30am, then proceed to parliament.
IN FREE STATE: Meet at Kutloanong Community Hall at 10am. Then proceed to Welkom – gather at Welkom Central Park from 10:45 – 11am.
Join Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia
Facebook: @KopanangAfrica
Twitter: @KopanangAfrica
Contact: Terri: 071 097 8160; Trevor: 079 030 7657
