On 29 April 2015, at an event held at Welkom Club stadium in Welkom, the Free State Provincial Government and the people of the Free State resoundingly added their voice against the xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals that occurred recently in some parts of our country.

Over 5000 citizens, mainly from the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, joined the Free State Government in a sombre and dignified occasion to pray against the recent violent attacks against our brothers and sisters from the African continent and elsewhere. This anti-xenophobia prayer service was characterised by interfaith prayers and rendition of hymns led by church leaders from different denominations.

Representatives of foreign nationals attended the event and participated in leading prayers at this event that was also intended to show solidarity with them as foreign nationals who are in our country. 

In her message to the over 5000 people gathered at the prayer service on behalf of the Free State Provincial Government, Mrs Mathabo Leeto, the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, spoke firmly against those perpetrating the acts of violence against foreign nationals and pointed out that the triple challenge of unemployment, inequality and poverty cannot be a reason for unleashing acts of violence against fellow human beings. She emphasised that government is on course to address these challenges which are a result of over 300 years of apartheid-colonial oppression.

All present at this prayer service were in one spirit and one voice in condemning the attacks against foreign nationals and proved yet again that South Africans are not xenophobic.

 

Issued by Free State Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation