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We Are Not the Enemy: A Letter to South Africa from One African to Another. By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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We Are Not the Enemy: A Letter to South Africa from One African to Another.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

There is a storm brewing on the southern tip of our beloved continent; one not caused by nature, but by man. In township corners, across social media reels and in political podiums draped in national flags, an uncomfortable message continues to echo: “Operation Dudula, Foreigners must go.”

Let’s ask the question the cowards will not: who really are the enemies of South Africa? Is it the foreign national who sells tomatoes on the street, or the political elite sipping imported wine while corruption ruins the soul of the nation?

In a recent viral Instagram reel, yet another South African citizen laments the presence of foreign nationals, blaming them for unemployment, rising crime and economic stagnation. The message is emotionally charged and undoubtedly reflects the frustration of the average citizen who feels abandoned, beneath this fiery rhetoric lies a dangerous illusion: that foreign nationals (especially African migrants) are the root cause of South Africa’s problems.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Real Source of the Pain. Let’s be honest: the pain South Africans feel is real. Youth unemployment is above 60%. Basic services often fail. Corruption, crime, and poverty are rampant. But who created these problems? Foreigners?

No.
It was the politicians who promised “a better life for all” and then built palaces for themselves. It was the corporate barons who loot pension funds. It was the system that failed to reform after apartheid ended—a system that now feeds on division to hide its incompetence.

Instead of holding the powerful accountable, the people are being told to look sideways; to blame Zimbabweans, Nigerians, Congolese, Somalis and Mozambicans. This is not just sad; it is intellectually dishonest and morally dangerous.

Divide and Rule: The Old Colonial Tactic. Repackaged, Let us not forget: the first Europeans to colonize Africa didn’t do so with armies alone, they did so by dividing us. Zulu vs Xhosa. Igbo vs Yoruba. South African vs Nigerian. They turned brothers into rivals.

Now in 2025, that same method is being repackaged. South African politicians (especially populists like Gayton McKenzie and others like him) use foreign nationals as scapegoats. They say “they take our jobs”, “they commit crimes”, “they’re illegal.”

Ask any honest economist and they’ll tell you that most foreign nationals in South Africa CREATE their own jobs. They run salons, spaza shops, taxi services, catering businesses, tailoring shops. They hustle, just like the average South African. They are not stealing jobs. They are surviving.

The Cost of Xenophobia. Xenophobia does not just hurt the foreigner, it stains South Africa’s soul.

In 2008, 2015, 2019 and again in recent years, we saw the brutal scenes: machetes drawn, businesses looted, people burned alive. These are not just headlines. They are human tragedies.

What did South Africa gain from these attacks? Did the economy improve? Did unemployment drop? Were the hospitals suddenly functional?

No.
All that happened was blood in the streets and shame on the continent.

According to a 2023 UNHCR report, more than 140,000 African migrants in South Africa live in fear of physical attacks. Children don’t go to school. Families sleep with one eye open. And for what?

To distract the people from the true cause of their suffering: failed governance.

The Pan-African Dream Is Dying. Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela and Thomas Sankara all dreamed of a united Africa; an Africa without borders, without hatred, without tribal or national division. Today, that dream is being poisoned.

When South Africans attack Nigerians, Zimbabweans or Somalians, they are not protecting their country; they are burning down the very bridges we need to build the Africa we deserve.

Africa will never rise if we continue to fight ourselves. No nation can isolate itself into prosperity. We either grow together, or we collapse together.

Who Are the Real Criminals?
Let us talk about crime.

Yes, there are criminals among foreign nationals; just as there are criminals among South Africans, but every society has both SAINTS and SINNERS. You don’t condemn an entire nationality because of a few bad actors. That’s not justice; that’s prejudice.

Let’s talk facts.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), more than 85% of all arrests and convictions are South African nationals. Foreign nationals make up a very small percentage of actual criminals and even smaller when you factor in economic contribution.

Now let’s talk about white-collar crime. The biggest scandals in South Africa’s history ( Eskom looting, Gupta state capture, Steinhoff fraud, VBS bank collapse) were all masterminded by South Africans. Not a single foreigner was needed to pull off those billion-rand crimes.

So, again, who are the real criminals?

The Contribution of Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals bring more than just their sweat and skills; they bring their cultures, their flavors, their music, their resilience. Nigerian doctors in Limpopo save lives every day. Zimbabwean teachers educate children in Eastern Cape. Somali traders bring goods to rural areas where no one else wants to go.

According to a 2022 report by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), foreign-owned businesses in South Africa contribute nearly R20 billion annually to the informal economy. That is not THEFT. That is VALUE.

Yet, many of them live under threat; discriminated against, demonized and harassed by both citizens and police.

A Message to South Africans. Brothers and sisters, I say this not with bitterness, but with love: WE ARE NOT YOUR ENEMIES.

We come here not to conquer but to contribute. We run from war, hunger and collapsed governments to places like South Africa because we believe in its promise. We believe in ubuntu; that African spirit that says “I AM BECAUSE WE ARE.”

Let us not allow fear and propaganda to destroy that spirit.

The solution to your suffering lies in BETTER GOVERNANCE, FAIRER ECONOMIC POLICY and YOUTH EMPOWERMENT; not in burning down a Somali-owned shop or blaming a Nigerian Uber driver.

A Message to African Leaders. We foreign nationals are not just victims; we are also failed by our own governments. Why do so many Africans risk their lives to flee to South Africa? Home has failed us.

So this is also a call to our own leaders; Nigerian, Zimbabwean, Congolese, Ethiopian: fix your countries. Stop looting. Stop silencing opposition. Stop selling out to foreign powers. Your failure forces your citizens to flee. And that exodus becomes fuel for xenophobia abroad.

Finally: Africa is bleeding from within. The hate we show each other only deepens the wounds left by colonialism and corruption.

South Africa, you are a giant (but even giants can fall) especially when they forget their brothers.

We must reject the politics of DIVISION and embrace the vision of UNITY. The future of Africa does not lie in border posts or deportation vans. It lies in the hands of young Africans, working together, respecting one another and rebuilding this continent from the ground up.

Let us rise; not as South Africans or Nigerians or Zimbabweans; but as Africans, together.

We Are Not the Enemy: A Letter to South Africa from One African to Another.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Pan-African writer, political commentator, and human rights advocate
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

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UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

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Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

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Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

 

 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

 

 

 

 

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

 

 

 

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

 

 

 

 

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

 

 

 

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

 

 

 

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

 

 

 

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

 

 

 

 

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

 

 

 

 

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

 

 

 

 

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

 

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.

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NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

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NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

 

 

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during an attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

 

 

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Oyo State wing of the union described the situation as increasingly distressing, particularly following the emergence of a video allegedly released by the abductors showing the victims pleading for their freedom.

 

 

The union said the footage had heightened fears over the welfare of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

 

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

According to the NUT, no child or teacher deserves to be subjected to such traumatic experiences, adding that the prolonged captivity of the victims has continued to inflict psychological pain on their families, colleagues and the wider education community.

 

 

 

The union called on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate and safe release of the victims.

 

 

“This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers,” the statement read.

 

 

While acknowledging ongoing interventions by security agencies and government authorities, the union stressed that time was of the essence, warning that every additional day in captivity deepens the trauma suffered by the victims.

 

 

The NUT urged security operatives to strengthen surveillance, improve community intelligence gathering and deploy all necessary operational and diplomatic measures to facilitate the rescue of the abductees.

 

 

It also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support rescue efforts by providing credible information that could assist security agencies.

 

 

 

“The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority,” the union stated.

 

 

Reaffirming its support for the families of the victims, the NUT pledged continued solidarity and prayers while advocating safer learning environments across the country.

 

 

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State NUT, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode.

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