On October 09, 2013, I was invited to this initiative as a Journalist to participate in a dialog and learn as well. Members coming from different organizations were flocked in a Chamber room, at the Municipal Offices of Atteridgeville in Pretoria. We firstly introduced ourselves in order to begin a dialog. Thereafter, we selected into groups of five people each in order to participate on various dialog forms on critical health and social problems in our communities such as;
- Stigma and discrimination
- Gender based violence
- Alcohol and Drug abuse
- Vulnerable groups like refugees and LBGTI's
There is a divine beauty in learning, just as there is human beauty in tolerance. To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been there before me, and I walk in their footsteps. I am the sum total of their experience, their quests. And so are you_ by Eliezer Wiesel_
The Refugee matter was our last straw. We were taught the differences between Immigration and Migration,the refugees too. Halmet Lesele, a dialog moderator, initially informed us about Xenophobia_ known as Afrophobia[African Attacks], simply means a fear of or hatred towards the African brothers and sisters {Foreigners} who seek refuge in South Africa. "We give them names, arguably saying they steal our jobs, businesses and women", explained Mr Lesele.
In 2008, the world witnessed large scale xenophobic violence aimed at foreign migrats, a period during which the hostility towards small scale entrepreneurs became very clear. Foreigners were accused of ''stealing work from locals" in a difficult ecomomic climate. Somali small traders and entrepreneurs specially
As the dialog deepens, Eugene, an attendee in the group session explained that., post 1994/1996 there were some fears in the community of Atteridgeville surrounding stigma and discrimination. A high rate of stigmatization, which led to isolation and neglect. People were degraded, humiliated, labeled on various forms, which made it difficult to talk about HIV/AIDS related matters due to lack of education. ''Things have changed now, people are informed but they ignorant to learn more about it", continued Eugene.
Families react differently towards diseases, especially HIV and Aids. We neglect our loved ones in fear of discrimination by the society, not realizing the pain and suffering one goes when sick. The normality is that, families are the supporting structure when one is infected with a disease, whereas members of the community react differently.
Stigma and discrimination forms a barrier between culture, religion and reality. A supportive structure should be created, which will enable people especially the older generation to learn and adjust to the times. Furthermore, both houses [religion&culture] should play a significant role on the subject matter. The house in large agree to disagree about different matters discussed above, but harshly opressed to intensify more education, and efffective communication which requires a good listening skill.
Alcohol and drug abuse in our community are the most challenging ones. School drop-out, mostly cause by alcohol and drugs, particularly on boy child. Rehabilitation Centres are there, but what happens when one comes out? ''It's unfortunately we don't attend this issues... they become vulnerable and go back to their bad habits", said Lucky Raseroka an attendee as well.
The state of our health institutions is unsatisfactory due to lack of care towards patients, poor management, proper training, maladministration and corruption. The state runs out of funds, facilities are not well cared for, therefore drug abusers are no longer caded. Back to the street again, victimize memebers of the community. Yes, we have organizations who represent and attend this matters. The problem is that, when you do not belong to a certain grooup/organization and you don't participate in the community meetings in order to acquire information... nothing will happen.
"We talk but don't reach an understanding, critical problems need to be addressed", said Kulubreh Abraham Project Coordinator from Unisa. Certainly, commitees are formed, we attend meeting called by our councillors, but we fail to reach an understanding and find solutions to the problems. "There must be a new strategic programmes, create new ones and engage more oftern to save and build a better nation", added Mr Abraham.
On the subject of rape and gender based violence, the problematic ones. Gone are those days women look after children or stay home moms and take care of the houses. Now, women pursue careers, become CEO's of new horizons and multitask es ever being before. Most men fail to understand that! These where domestic violance begins, disputes and abuse. Men feel that, they are entittled to beat or abuse physically, emotionally and mentally. Phenomenally speaking, our attitudes determines us of who we are, they implies positive or negative evaluation about someone. We need to get along, tolerate one another.
Rape is a problematic factor, no one wanted to talk about it, until a raise a question. The upbringing of a child/person, fundamental rule at home. Self worth, was the person loved or taught to love and respect him/herself first, how to behave around people and treate others with dignity and respect.
Alcohol and drug abuse in our community are the most challenging ones. School drop-out, mostly cause by alcohol and drugs, particularly on boy child. Rehabilitation Centres are there, but what happens when one comes out? ''It's unfortunately we don't attend this issues... they become vulnerable and go back to their bad habits", said Lucky Raseroka an attendee as well.
The state of our health institutions is unsatisfactory due to lack of care towards patients, poor management, proper training, maladministration and corruption. The state runs out of funds, facilities are not well cared for, therefore drug abusers are no longer caded. Back to the street again, victimize memebers of the community. Yes, we have organizations who represent and attend this matters. The problem is that, when you do not belong to a certain grooup/organization and you don't participate in the community meetings in order to acquire information... nothing will happen.
"We talk but don't reach an understanding, critical problems need to be addressed", said Kulubreh Abraham Project Coordinator from Unisa. Certainly, commitees are formed, we attend meeting called by our councillors, but we fail to reach an understanding and find solutions to the problems. "There must be a new strategic programmes, create new ones and engage more oftern to save and build a better nation", added Mr Abraham.
On the subject of rape and gender based violence, the problematic ones. Gone are those days women look after children or stay home moms and take care of the houses. Now, women pursue careers, become CEO's of new horizons and multitask es ever being before. Most men fail to understand that! These where domestic violance begins, disputes and abuse. Men feel that, they are entittled to beat or abuse physically, emotionally and mentally. Phenomenally speaking, our attitudes determines us of who we are, they implies positive or negative evaluation about someone. We need to get along, tolerate one another.
Rape is a problematic factor, no one wanted to talk about it, until a raise a question. The upbringing of a child/person, fundamental rule at home. Self worth, was the person loved or taught to love and respect him/herself first, how to behave around people and treate others with dignity and respect.
The Refugee matter was our last straw. We were taught the differences between Immigration and Migration,the refugees too. Halmet Lesele, a dialog moderator, initially informed us about Xenophobia_ known as Afrophobia[African Attacks], simply means a fear of or hatred towards the African brothers and sisters {Foreigners} who seek refuge in South Africa. "We give them names, arguably saying they steal our jobs, businesses and women", explained Mr Lesele.
In 2008, the world witnessed large scale xenophobic violence aimed at foreign migrats, a period during which the hostility towards small scale entrepreneurs became very clear. Foreigners were accused of ''stealing work from locals" in a difficult ecomomic climate. Somali small traders and entrepreneurs specially
were accused of udercutting the prices of locals and many of them were killed in the xenophobic attacks.
Xenophobia is a crime against huminity, slows down the economy; people are killed senselessly; skills from foreigners are lost. A number of foreigners are in South Africa as asylum seekers due to wars and other socio-economic problems in their countries. South Africa as a sovereign country has a responsibility to accomodate these foreigners. However, ordinary citizens do not understand this.
The hope of Africa is in South Africa. Whatever fails in South Africa, we send bad messeges to other countries especially in Europe. Violence is giving a ''bad image'' about the beauty of South Africa, so lets unit and tolarate one another, said Abraham closing a dialog.
Remember people: Each one teach one.
Source: Africa Institute of South Africa- Africa Insight Vol 40 (1) June 2010.
Unisa (University of South Africa) under English Proficiency for University Studies.
By Nelly Portia
Xenophobia is a crime against huminity, slows down the economy; people are killed senselessly; skills from foreigners are lost. A number of foreigners are in South Africa as asylum seekers due to wars and other socio-economic problems in their countries. South Africa as a sovereign country has a responsibility to accomodate these foreigners. However, ordinary citizens do not understand this.
The hope of Africa is in South Africa. Whatever fails in South Africa, we send bad messeges to other countries especially in Europe. Violence is giving a ''bad image'' about the beauty of South Africa, so lets unit and tolarate one another, said Abraham closing a dialog.
Remember people: Each one teach one.
Source: Africa Institute of South Africa- Africa Insight Vol 40 (1) June 2010.
Unisa (University of South Africa) under English Proficiency for University Studies.
By Nelly Portia
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