XENOPHOBIA FROM THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

This is not the first time that youths in south Africa, especially a cross section of the them have decided to take up "clubs and cudgels", against other nationals  residing there.  But the rampant and wanton killings of  foreign nationals is gradually taking a new dimension: Started with pockets of protest then  fighting and schism, Lootings, then killings and now outright mayhem. The spate of bloodletting every now and then is becoming rampant and instantaneous. just at the beck and call of one disgruntled youth from one corner they can rise and let out another killing living behind cries of woes, plunging the foreign community into untold grief.
What the world is witnessing in this centuries never stated here.  In  Genesis 26:18-22 We read  And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. And the herdsmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah. And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.  Look, anywhere you look in the world there are those who have failed and will resent the progressive migrant and blame their failures on these ones.  Itis easier to vent your spleen on the immigrant and it is much more easier to garner support o if you blame  your woes and things gone haywire on the immigrant: sadly enough politicians of great countries have gone this way and won elections. Any one who is naive enough will fall for any tale that labels the migrants as the reason all is not going well. I dare say there are politicians who rode on the back of this anti immigrant sentiment to power, would you expect them to now turn their back on these ones? it is hard.
The way forward is to go again the old way. I say the old way, because it was what was applied thousands of years ago. When isaac was confronted with such hostilities he quietly left for another place. yes, when there is life there is hope. And his hope and faith did not fail him in the quest for a better land. Therefore, i urge my brothers to think well and soberly over this matter, as there is no one fix. The case may be relative in that while some are known criminals others are legit. If you know your case is different and despite all the attack you still feel safe continue to live peacefully and transparent: it is your neighbour that will vouch for you when the time comes. but if you are into criminal activities do not expect a free reign. My heart bleeds for those who have lost lives and properties, but a lasting solution has become inevitable and one must take the bull by the horn, Threatening revenge and retaliation is not the way forward here. it is not possible to defeat the owners of the land when you are just a handful let those in Nigeria and other nation  to threaten or set ablaze businesses belonging to south africa. At the end of the day only a handful of workers in these outfits are indeed, from south africa, their employees are Nigerians.  Finally let us control our anger , for anger does not bear bear any fruits.
Genesis 49:5-6 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self will they digged down a wall.

Be seeing you.
Godwin Guobadia writes from Amsterdam.