This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
September 11, 2019, marked a somber day in South Africa as xenophobic attacks continued to ravage the country, leaving at least five people dead in the past week.
Among the victims of these attacks was the daughter of veteran South African singer Yvonne Chaka-Chaka, whose shop in Maboneng, Johannesburg, was destroyed by xenophobic looters over the weekend.
According to Yvonne Chaka-Chaka, her daughter and staff were inside the shop when the looters attacked, but they were not harmed as they did not confront the attackers.
"They stole everything, all the clothes and everything in the shop. Even the mannequins are on the floor. It is terrible. There was a lot of damage," Yvonne Chaka-Chaka said.
Ma Yvonne, as she is fondly referred to in her home country, condemned the attacks, saying they were portraying South Africans in a shameful negative light.
"You try to help other people and do your best for the community, but when something like this happens it is very disappointing. You travel to different countries but when something like this happens, you feel very ashamed as a South African," she said.
Yvonne Chaka-Chaka pointed out that South Africans had the strong spirit of Ubuntu, but the xenophobic attacks were a sad reminder that this spirit was not being lived up to.
"South Africans have lived with different nationalities and supported other nations. It is sad to see this because I know South Africans are good people," she said.
Yvonne Chaka-Chaka joined the list of South African public figures who have come out to strongly condemn the xenophobia attacks, including EFF leader Julius Malema and comedian Trevor Noah.
Malema called on South Africans to cease the barbaric acts, warning that once done with those they deemed foreigners, the attackers would turn on fellow South Africans.
"They're going to say, 'The reason we don’t have jobs here, is because of these Zulus. They must go back to Natal. Xhosas must go back to Eastern Cape, Shangaans must go back to Limpopo.' Because there will be no foreigners left to fight," Malema opined.
South African socialite and dancer Zodwa Wabantu also boldly slammed the attacks, calling the looters “our lazy brothers and sisters.”
"As South Africans, this is so wrong. This is not xenophobia; this is not about us hating our brothers and sisters from other countries. This is people taking things from people who are working hard. I hate it," Zodwa said.
