I HAVE written this letter to apologize to our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe for the recent xenophobic attacks that happened in our country.
Good day.
I would like to believe that by now you are aware of the xenophobic attacks that have been happening around the country — South Africa.
It’s with shame and heavy heart that I write this email to you all.
You have opened your homes and your hearts to us. You made some of us feel welcomed in your respective countries and homes. You hosted us with hospitality without complaining and in your homes we shared whatever little you had.
Some of you are good colleagues, friends and brothers I have grown to know and love very much.
I have been pondering whether to write this email or not, but mainly because I was ashamed of what this beautiful countries of ours has become.
In your country: My democracy was conceived when the MK soldiers fought alongside the ZIPRA forces in what was known as the Wankie Campaign in 1967.
My brothers and sisters were looked after in Lusaka and they were given shelter
The blood of my brothers and sisters were spilled in Maputo in what was known as Matola raid on January 31, 1981 and your government gave them a state burial.
The blood of my people was spilled in Maseru in what was known as Maseru Massacre and your government gave them state burial.
The foundation of my democracy was laid in Morogoro Tanzania in 1969 in what was known as the Morogoro resolution.
Your country gave my people land for them to be educated at Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College (SOMAFCO) in Mazimbu Tanzania.
My soldiers were trained in Uganda, Lusaka, Angola, Mozqambique, Algeria, Libya, Cuba, Russia
They fought in Cuinto Canhavallo alongside their Angolan, Namibian as well as the Cuban comrades in Angola.
My democracy was delivered in Harare when the Harare Declaration was signed with the support of the Frontline States.
My Movement's Congress was held in your country in 1985 in Kitwe, Zambia.
Your people protected, clothed and loved my movement.
My people's struggle became your own struggle. Not once did you call them with derogatory names. Not once did you burn my brothers and sisters and not once did you say they are taking your jobs and women.
But, most importantly, I have a home in Harare at Pastor Murefu's house, Zimbabwe. I have a home in Lilongwe at Cyprian's house, Malawi. I have a home in Kenya at Levi Nyambati's house. I have a home in Lusaka, Chipata, Mapanza as well as Livingstone with the BBalo and the Mutare family respectively, Zambia. My brother is lying in Mapanza, Zambia. I have a home in Cameroon Doualla at Tague's family. I have a home in Mozambique at Pastor Nhantumbo's family (May his soul rest in peace). I have a home in Ivory Cost as well as DRC Kinshasa with Vincent Tohbi.
I am married to the grand daughter of the Sena people in Malawi, Mozambique as well as Zimbabwe. My wife's maternal grandparents are in Swaziland.
My brothers, I apologize to you, your friends and your families for the barbaric action that you see in our country. I apologize to Kenyatta, Nkrumah, Machel, Tongogara, Mwalimu Nyerere, Agostinho Nehto, Mondlane, etc.
I apologize on behalf of my leaders as well as my people that this is not who we are and this is not what makes us. I apologize and I would like to tell you that this is not the view of my country, but the thuggery elements in our society who will use and drag our name in mud to achieve their evil deeds.
I would also like to assure you that our government as well as the members of our society at large, are working hard to root out these elements in our society.
We apologize because this is not who we are.
I hope you will find it in your hearts to open your doors and not to let these barbaric actions come between our friendship and all the wonderful things we have shared. My home is your home and I trust and believe that your home will remain my home. This I write from my heavy heart and I truly apologize on behalf of my friends, my family as well as all South Africans.
Freddy Tshikala
South African
