society
From Freedom Fighter to Xenophobic Tyrant: How South Africa Betrays Africa”
“From Freedom Fighter to Xenophobic Tyrant: How South Africa Betrays Africa”
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In an age where Africa must rally around unity, economic collaboration, and cross-border development, it is both tragic and outrageous that a political leader in South Africa has emerged to champion a campaign that echoes the darkest ideologies of the past. Gayton McKenzie, the Mayor of Central Karoo and leader of the Patriotic Alliance, has become the face of xenophobic populism in South Africa. His “Abahambe” doctrine; which means “Let them leave” in Zulu meaning is not just a rallying cry; it is a ticking time bomb threatening the very fabric of African brotherhood.
By targeting African migrants, particularly Nigerians and Zimbabweans, McKenzie is doing more than playing politics. He is weaponizing fear, scapegoating economic migrants who, contrary to his claims, often create their own jobs, employ others, and contribute to the local economy. This is not a movement of patriotism. It is a movement of prejudice, one that resembles, in language and tone, the early stages of fascist regimes.
Dangerous Rhetoric, Dangerous Consequences
History offers sobering lessons. Leaders who have failed to deliver prosperity often manufacture enemies. Adolf Hitler, in the 1930s, blamed Germany’s woes on Jews and used propaganda to dehumanize them. We all know where that road led.
McKenzie’s playbook is eerily similar. Rather than confront South Africa’s systemic failures and rampant corruption, deteriorating infrastructure, and chronic unemployment, he blames African migrants. This redirection of public anger is a cynical political strategy. It is easier to inflame crowds than to fix roads, hospitals, or schools. But such strategies come with deadly consequences.
This is no longer just a political platform. It is incitement. His speeches have inspired violence: shops looted, homes burnt, and lives lost. These are not isolated incidents they are the direct results of a narrative that paints migrants as enemies, not neighbors.
African Migrants: Job Creators, Not Job Thieves
Contrary to McKenzie’s inflammatory claims, the overwhelming majority of African migrants in South Africa are self-employed. They run salons, corner shops, logistics companies, restaurants, and even tech startups. They work tirelessly, not because South Africa gave them jobs, but because they were forced by circumstances to create their own. They compete not for state resources, but for survival.
Studies by the Human Sciences Research Council and other institutions have repeatedly shown that immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs than locals; a fact also observed across Europe and the United States. In inner cities across Johannesburg and Cape Town, it is often foreign-owned businesses that provide services and employment in neglected areas.
So when McKenzie screams “Abahambe,” he is not just targeting undocumented migrants. He is threatening people who pay rent, taxes, school fees — and employ South Africans too.
Nigeria’s Historic Role: A Debt South Africa Must Honor
That Nigerians are a central target of this campaign is not only unjust; it is profoundly insulting. Nigeria was one of the fiercest opponents of apartheid. From 1960 to 1994, the country invested billions in today’s value, over $60 billion in supporting South Africa’s liberation. The Nigerian government funded the African National Congress (ANC), hosted its exiles, trained its soldiers, and spearheaded global sanctions against the apartheid regime.
Nigerians paid a “Mandela Tax” to fund the anti-apartheid movement. They were barred from international events, ostracized diplomatically, and made enormous economic sacrifices, all in the name of African freedom.
As Desmond Tutu once said, “We are because you are. Our liberation was your victory too.”
To now see Nigerians vilified in South Africa is to watch the knife twist in a wound still healing from the scars of colonialism and racial segregation.
South African Businesses Thrive in Nigeria
While McKenzie accuses foreigners of exploitation, the economic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa tells a different story. South African companies have thrived in Nigeria without facing the kind of hatred that migrants now endure in South Africa.
MTN Nigeria—the crown jewel of the MTN Group contributes more than a third of the group’s global profit. Shoprite, DSTV (Multichoice), Stanbic IBTC, and others have enjoyed a warm reception in Nigeria. They’ve grown into household names, making millions in a competitive but welcoming market.
Would McKenzie prefer these companies to be driven out of Nigeria in retaliation? Can he account for the jobs that would be lost both in Nigeria and South Africa if this economic partnership collapses?
In diplomacy, as in economics, respect must be mutual.
A Threat to Pan-African Progress
McKenzie’s divisive politics do not only endanger MIGRANTS, they threaten the very soul of Africa. At a time when the African Union is pushing for deeper integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), when regional blocks are forming to combat poverty, disease, and terrorism, McKenzie’s ideology is a setback. It is a rejection of unity in favor of isolation. It is a throwback to the colonial mindset of “divide and rule.”
The real enemies of South Africa are not the foreign-born Africans struggling to make ends meet. The enemies are inequality, corruption, misgovernance, and disinvestment. No Nigerian or Zimbabwean created Eskom’s energy crisis. No Ethiopian migrant siphoned billions through state capture. The problems are internal. The solutions, too, must be.
Voices of Reason Must Rise
As former Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah famously said, “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart.” Those words ring true now more than ever. Africa needs leaders who speak of unity, who understand the value of cooperation not populists who exploit pain for power.
South African civil society, journalists, trade unions, and faith-based organizations must rise and reject McKenzie’s brand of hatred. Silence is complicity, and complicity is guilt. Xenophobia, if unchecked, will destroy not only the lives of migrants but also the moral standing of South Africa as a leader on the continent.
International organizations, too, must speak up. The African Union must investigate whether the “Abahambe” campaign amounts to incitement under international law. The United Nations should monitor the human rights situation in affected communities. Hate speech is not free speech especially when it costs lives.
A Future Worth Building Together
Africa’s youth; its greatest resource must understand that collaboration, not confrontation, is the key to prosperity. With a shared market of 1.3 billion people and untapped resources, the future is bright only if we work together. We must reject demagogues who preach division and embrace leaders who champion innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate. If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”
Let us teach that love now through policy, protest, and unity.
In conclusion: Africa’s Moral Test
Gayton McKenzie is not just a politician. He is a test; for South Africa’s democracy, for Africa’s unity, and for the conscience of every black person on the continent. If we allow his hate-filled rhetoric to spread unchecked, we risk not just more violence, but the unraveling of everything Africa has worked to build since independence.
But if we meet his hatred with courage, unity, and law, then we will have turned this dangerous chapter into a moment of reckoning. Let McKenzie’s campaign be remembered not as the movement that broke Africa, but as the spark that finally woke it up.
Africa must choose: hatred or hope, division or dignity.
Let us choose wisely.
Power is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester for SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Power is not an inheritance. It is not a birthright. It is not even a possession. Power, in its truest form, is a loan temporary, conditional, and transient. It is entrusted to individuals by people, institutions or circumstances, but it always comes with an expiry date. The tragedy of our world, however, is that too many leaders behave as though power is eternal. They clutch onto it, abuse it, weaponize it and in the end, leave nothing behind but ruins, regret and ridicule.
The French philosopher Voltaire once remarked: “With great power comes great responsibility.” But in our era, we must go further: with great power comes the obligation to plant people. To plant people is to empower them, mentor them, uplift them and prepare them for a time when you are no longer in the spotlight. For one day, inevitably, the motorcades will vanish, the applause will fade and the titles will turn into footnotes. What will remain is the impact you left on human lives.
The Fragility of Power: Why No One Holds It Forever.
History, politics and life itself have shown that power is fleeting. Even the most feared emperors and the most influential presidents eventually yield to time. The Roman Empire, once stretching across continents, collapsed. The mighty Pharaohs of Egypt, who believed themselves divine, are remembered today only as names etched on tombs. Closer to home, African military dictators who once ruled with iron fists now live in obscurity, some begging for relevance in old age.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama put it sharply: “The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.” What he meant is that no matter how powerful you think you are, time has a way of humbling everyone. Leaders who imagine themselves irreplaceable soon discover the bitter truth: power is seasonal and every season changes.
This is why the greatest leaders are those who use their moment not to build monuments to themselves but to build people. Because monuments crack, but people remember.
Leadership Beyond Tenure: Planting People as Legacy.
Leadership, in its essence, is not measured by the number of years spent in office but by the number of lives transformed in that period. Nelson Mandela, who ruled South Africa for just one term, remains immortal in global memory not because he clung to office but because he planted people and values. He mentored a new generation of South African leaders, built institutions and showed the world that humility is the highest form of power.
John C. Maxwell, the world-renowned leadership expert, insists: “The greatest legacy a leader can leave is having developed other leaders.” The logic is simple; TITLES DIE, but PEOPLE LIVE ON. The greatest misuse of power, therefore, is to leave people the same (or worse) than you met them.
The Tragedy of Hoarded Power.
When power is hoarded instead of shared, the result is decay. Leaders who suppress others to protect their dominance always end up isolated. They mistake fear for loyalty, but once they step down, the very people who applauded them disappear. History is full of such examples.
Idi Amin of Uganda, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire and Sani Abacha of Nigeria all wielded absolute power in their days. But what became of them? Their regimes collapsed in disgrace. They planted no people, built no successors and left their nations bleeding. Today, they are remembered not for greatness but for tyranny.
Contrast this with leaders like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, who invested heavily in education, youth empowerment and national capacity-building. Though gone, he planted a nation of thinkers and innovators. Singapore, once a poor fishing island, is now a first-world economy, proof that planting people outlives personal reign.
Why Planting People Matters in All Spheres of Life.
This principle is not limited to politics. In business, religion and community leadership, those who succeed in developing people extend their influence far beyond their lifetimes. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, understood this. Though a perfectionist, he invested in building a strong leadership culture at Apple. That is why, years after his death, Apple continues to thrive.
In religion, Jesus Christ is perhaps the greatest example of planting people. He never built a palace or wrote a book. Instead, He invested in twelve disciples, ordinary men who later carried His message to the ends of the earth. Over two thousand years later, His influence remains unmatched, because He planted people, not monuments.
The Reality Check: What Happens When Power Ends.
We must never forget: the applause will fade. The titles will become past tense. The security convoys will vanish. The table will empty. At that point, what will remain is not the office you once occupied but the lives you touched.
The 20th-century historian Lord Acton’s timeless warning remains true: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Yet, there is a caveat often ignored; power can also elevate, if used rightly. It can inspire, empower and transform. The leader who recognizes this truth plants seeds in people while their influence lasts, because they know they will not hold it forever.
The Call to Leaders: Plant People While You Can.
To every leader (political, corporate, spiritual or community-based) the call is urgent: plant people while your voice still carries weight. Mentor the youth, empower the voiceless and create platforms for others to rise. While your hand still holds the pen, sign opportunities into others’ lives. Because one day, the pen will no longer be yours to hold.
The Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe once wrote: “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” The integrity of leadership is tested not by the ability to acquire power, but by the willingness to share it, to empower others and to leave behind a generation better prepared than the one before.
A Personal Reflection.
Every society that has risen to greatness has done so on the back of leaders who planted people. Japan invested in education after World War II and became a global economic giant. Rwanda, under Paul Kagame, rose from genocide by investing in its people, particularly women and the youth. The evidence is overwhelming: leaders who plant people never die; their names are written in the hearts of men.
Conversely, leaders who hoard power, suppress others and treat their positions as private empires often face tragic endings. They die lonely, forgotten or mocked, not because they didn’t once have power, but because they failed to use it meaningfully.
Final Word: Power as a Loan, Legacy as an Obligation.
At the end of the day, the truth remains eternal: power is a loan, not a possession. It is lent for a while and must be returned. But while it is in your hands, you have the sacred duty to plant people.
The applause will fade. The convoys will vanish. The spotlight will dim, but the people you lifted will carry your name across generations. They will become your greatest reference long after the titles are gone.
So, use power wisely. Not to silence, not to oppress, not to immortalize yourself, but to plant others. Because when all is said and done, people are the only legacy that never dies.
Mayor of Brampton Honours IBD Foundation
The City of Brampton has recognised Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun for his remarkable contributions to a transformative initiative designed to empower women through essential skill-building for independence and self-reliance. This formal acknowledgment took place on August 15, 2025, in Mayor Patrick Brown’s office during a visit from the Africa Made Economic Growth Initiative (AMEGI) team. Represented by his wife, Mrs. Omolara Egungbohun, Alhaji Dende received the certification amidst an atmosphere of gratitude and celebration. Mayor Brown presented the certificate personally and extended his commendations to the IBD Foundation for their relentless pursuit of women’s empowerment, development, and their philanthropic efforts.
The Certificate of Recognition underscored Egungbohun’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to create diverse opportunities for women to enhance their skills, develop their potential, and ultimately prosper in their personal and professional lives. As a philanthropist, esteemed businessman, and influential social figure, his impact in Nigeria and beyond is both profound and far-reaching.
Egungbohun’s generosity and steadfast commitment have significantly bolstered the confidence of program participants, facilitating their ability to envision and construct brighter futures while strengthening community ties. In his acknowledgment, Mayor Brown stated, “Your dedication uplifts those working to inspire others,” highlighting the deep and lasting influence of Egungbohun’s work in empowering women.
This initiative is not just a standalone effort; it harmonizes perfectly with Brampton’s broader mission to advocate for and uplift marginalized groups within the community. Egungbohun’s contributions serve as a vital catalyst for transformative change, offering practical skills that enhance employability while reshaping the economic and social framework for women. Through an assortment of workshops, mentorship programs, and robust support networks, he has fostered an encouraging environment where women can fully explore and realize their potential.
As Brampton steadfastly commits itself to promoting inclusivity and equity, leaders like Egungbohun exemplify how collaboration, vision, and genuine enthusiastic engagement can effectively turn hopes and aspirations into tangible realities. The public acknowledgment from the city not only honors individual efforts but also sends a resounding message, inspiring other community leaders and stakeholders to step up and invest in grassroots empowerment initiatives that uplift and serve those in need. This recognition is a clarion call for collective action toward a more equitable and inclusive society.
Tayo Folorunsho Nominated as Celebrity Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps
Tayo Folorunsho, renowned youth ambassador and edutainment advocate, has been officially nominated to be decorated as a Celebrity Special Marshal (CSM) of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The unveiling took place at the recently concluded FRSC Youth Hangout, held in celebration of the United Nations International Youth Day at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.
Over the years, Tayo Folorunsho has distinguished himself as a passionate youth leader, consistently driving initiatives that inspire and empower young people. His recognition as a Celebrity Special Marshal is not only a mark of honor but also a call to responsibility—championing road safety, responsibility, and positive change within society.
Speaking on the recognition, Tayo Folorunsho emphasized:
“This is more than an honor; it is a responsibility to use my voice and influence to promote safety, responsibility, and positive change on our roads.”
This milestone reinforces his commitment to youth empowerment, social responsibility, and nation-building through edutainment and advocacy.
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