This is the fifth installment of Cries from the Beloved Country blog posts, chronicling the latest issues in my former home, South Africa. I’m desperately wanting to write about good news from SA, but lately I can’t find any: Electricity outages, worsening crime, racism on campus, the return of Jacob Zuma, and now this xenophobic violence. The Mail and Guardian asks if this is the end of the rainbow nation?

Honestly, I think that Thabo Mbeki’s appeasement of Robert Mugabe and his refusal to confront his northern neighbor has come back to haunt him. By not working to convince Mugabe to reform or bring about his downfall, Mbeki, as the head of the most powerful nation in Africa, has only contributed to the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe which led so many to flee that country for the hope of a better life in South Africa. Now that they are his guests, whether he wants them or not, Mbeki has a moral obligation to protect the refugees seeking shelter and work in his country until, and if, they can go back to their homes. This means imposing law and order in his own country. Continue reading →