By Robbie Ragless (www.globalvisas.com)

It has been 2 weeks of turmoil in South Africa with unnecessary criminal behavior sweeping our Rainbow Nation. The scenes are reminiscent of our days in the struggle where innocent people were displaced and racist violent attacks made front page news on all international newspapers. 

Mindless, uneducated criminals have taking advantage of the “xenophobic” tidal wave by looting, stealing and killing. My principle at school in Cape Town always used to talk of this term “mob mentality”. He described it as unique behavioral characteristic that emerges when one is involved in a mass demonstration that goes wrong. Being in such a large group would mean less consequences as you are lost in the crowd and as a result your actions could be more aggressive or inhumane. You can’t help but feel that this is what is happening in South Africa at the moment.  

South Africa, a role model for all countries undergoing democratic change, has been at the forefront of this revolution. We have adopted one of the most democratic constitutions in the world and as a youth growing up during this era, I am proud to say “I am South African!” Today I am less proud to make this statement.

I spoke to the South African High Commissioner in London last week and he said the following, “The recent attacks at home have shocked and embarrassed us.  They have undermined concerted efforts we make on a daily basis to attract much needed skills and investment to our country.  I verily believe that these are purely actions of criminals who have to be dealt with accordingly.  I am hopeful that the government will get to the bottom of it and the SANDF and the police will quell it.”

I couldn’t agree with him more. These are uneducated criminal thugs that have nothing better to do with themselves than to cause chaos and us the xenophobic excuse as a reason to commit crime.

Being the regional manager for Global Visas South Africa and directly involved with promoting the country in London, I hope that the situation is brought under control and that the perpetrators are brought to justice.