SA Bloggers, Let’s Do Something
The horror of the last few day’s xenophobic violence in Johannesburg has left us all feeling shocked and hopeless. The danger here is that it’s very easy for us (and I’m speaking to the predominantly wealthy and white audience that reads this blog and makes up SA’s blogging fraternity) to remove ourselves from the situation because we think it doesn’t impact us directly.
It’s not us white folks who are being looted, kicked out of our homes and being burnt alive. We live in absolute comfort while next door in Alexandra a war is breaking out. We say things like, “shame, poor foreigners”, but we’re very good at feeling pity and very bad at acting. And I’m the worst of the lot. Then this morning one of my colleagues, Lisa, looked up from her Mac and said to us, “we must do something”. I heard two voices in my head instantly. Fortunately, I’m listening to the positive one.
It’s on that note that I’d like to encourage you, my fellow bloggers and business people, to join me in doing something about it. We know we have the collective influence to make a big noise about very little, but can we prove that we can also make a difference for good? We can start small and if this has legs, I’ll take it up the next level with big media and NGO’s nationwide.
What can you do? Firstly, spread the word – let’s get as many people as possible thinking and talking about small (or large if you can) donations of food, clothing, blankets, etc. Pull old clothes out your cupboards, grab old towels and sheets – if you’re anything like me you have stacks of stuff lying around you don’t need / use.
I heard on 702 earlier that a collection station (for food that does not need to be cooked, baby products, clothing, blankets etc.) has been set up on Maude Str opposite the Village Walk shopping center in Sandton. Run a collection drive at your office! Convince your CSI officers this is what they need to be investing in! Let’s do something. There’s also a list set up on the 702 with numbers of organisations and individuals doing something about the crisis.
Thanks guys – let’s make a difference for good.
Popularity: 24% [?]
Agree 100% Mike! Great post…
by Candice
on 20. May, 2008
Hey Mike,
Just got this on email:
Social Movements Indaba marching with immigrant and refugee groups Saturday – Marks Park at 09h00
Contact: Claire 082 332 9874
by Nic
on 20. May, 2008
awesome idea mike!!! we’re also collecting at our offices and taking stuff direct to the red cross offices in Braamfontein
Thanks for writing this post!
Carls
by carls
on 20. May, 2008
very nice mike, it’s good to see that the issue is not being ignored. i’m quite keen to help to please let me know how i can. great post again
by Elle
on 20. May, 2008
[...] I just read Mike’s call for help. Mike is so damn right. We’re all sitting on our asses behind our computers and saying things [...]
by stii.za.net » Blog Archive » What can we as bloggers do about the Xenophobia crisis?
on 20. May, 2008
2 of my friends went and met with Zimbabwean refugees on the streets of Pretoria. They’ve got to know them and are friends with them. That’s a start! I wonder if us South Africans will be brave enough to open up our houses to refugees…even if just for a while.
by Roger Saner
on 20. May, 2008
There will be a march to support immigrants and protest against xenophobia.
Date: Saturday 24 May
Time: 9am
Place: Pieter Roos Park on Empire Road, cnr Queen Street, Parktown – near Clarendon Circle, Hillbrow
Bring placards, banners, friends!
Follow the link below for more details
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15121111655&ref=share
by Deshanta
on 20. May, 2008
We already have a donation drive running at http://southafricanhell.blogspot.com/2008/05/black-on-black-violence-urgent-appeal.html
Please assist if possible
by Johan22
on 21. May, 2008
[...] I wrote about how I felt we needed to do something more as bloggers (i.e., more than just write) about the [...]
by Mike Stopforth » Another Opportunity To Assist Refugees
on 21. May, 2008
[...] calls on South African bloggers to do something about the violent attacks against foreigners: “It’s on that note that I’d like to encourage you, my fellow bloggers and business [...]
by Global Voices Online » South Africa: Bloggers, let’s do something
on 21. May, 2008
[...] been astounding and even we have blogged about these atrocities on our personal blogs over here, here and [...]
by Xenophobia in South Africa - How we’re helping « Afrigator Blog
on 22. May, 2008
[...] spreading the word about xenophobia can people be alerted to the horrors of this new injustice. Mike calls on the white South Africans not to turn an eye to a situation that may not directly affect [...]
by When Me Hates Me « Ugandan Insomniac
on 22. May, 2008
[...] ireo namany mpiblaogy fotsy hoditra any Afrika Atsimo i Mike Stopforth hiara-mientana hanoherana ireo fanafihana mahery vaika izay sedrain'ireo vahiny mpiavy any Afrika Atsimo : It’s on that note that I’d like to encourage you, my fellow bloggers and [...]
by Global Voices amin´ny teny malagasy » Afrika Atsimo : Ry mpiblaogy, andeha hiara-mientana !
on 22. May, 2008
Donations are wonderful. Dropping it off at central collection points even better. But the best is to sweep at your own door.
Our community has three police stations servicing them: Yeoville, Cleveland and Jeppe – and that’s where we target.
Cleveland with 1 000 souls got a bakkie full from us; Jeppe, where the number has swelled to nearly 3 000 sleeping outside, got four bakkie loads and we organised a makeshift kitchen with gas burners and big pots for them.
No, you don’t have to go cook or butter samies – but you can help by just popping into your local station and handing over your blanket and warm clothes. You’ll soon learn the hard way what their needs are. We did…
by Carine Hartman
on 22. May, 2008
Please check out this page; http://www.moralfibre.co.za/index.php/Latest/Latest/help.html
We are in contact with a number of people hoping to march, donate and raise their voices against this spat of violent injustice..
A simple thought to ponder; who carved these territories that we found our fellow South Africans now drawing blood for? I fear that that their fight is hinged upon a shaky frame of reference…and is more a manifest of their feeling of angst in a world which has left them behind…
by Vincent
on 22. May, 2008
You bastards are no better than the perpetrators of Apartheid. You are no better than the animals that did this to our people during the dark days of Apartheid. You are no better than Craig Williamson. No better than Ferdi Barnard. You are Eugene de Kock.
You spit on our people who died at Sharpeville. You spit on the killing of the Guguleto 7. You spit on the deaths at the Bisho Massacre. You spit on the 27 years Madiba spent in jail for people like you. You spit on the murder of Biko. You spit on the memories of Braam Fischer. The memory of each and every South African who died and suffered for you to have freedom. Every mother. Every father. Every wife. Every husband. Every sisters. Every brother. Every child. You spit on their suffering.
No. You are not just as bad as those perpetrators of Apartheid. You are worse. Because you should know better. This has happened to you. How could you? How the hell could you? You stupid barbaric bastards. You are killing a dream. Our dream.
http://angryafrican.net/2008/05/20/terror-in-south-africa-and-the-end-of-a-dream/
by Angry African
on 22. May, 2008
Hi All,
I have been working rather solidly today trying to get a portal/tool online so we in a position to do something about this. It is based on a mashup between Google Maps and CGM . The idea is to provide a forum where we, as Africans, can share what is happening in our areas. This in-tern will better assist aid agency and individuals to know where to send any help/resources which they can offer.
What I would like from you guys is simply to help me with this colab – currently it has been done entirely by Africans living all around the world and is a trend I would like maintain. If you guys could simply build as much hype etc around it and get the mainstream guys talking then everything else will work itself out.
One other thing we are looking for is a cellular partner to make this more accessible to those who are truly effected – anybody got any ideas? (If you have a short code the system can piggyback on please let me know)
if you have any questions or comments please email me : tim . shier [insert the @] gmail . com
Hope to chat soon,
Tim
Ps: as soon as the site is live – hopefully later this AM – I will send the url around…
by Tim Shier
on 23. May, 2008
[...] show of support for the growing number of refugees in our country as a result of the savage and xenophobic attacks [...]
by South Africans: Lobsters in a boiling pot | Paul Jacobson
on 23. May, 2008
MANY areas have been affected by xenophobic violence, including Alexandra, Diepsloot, Germiston, Primrose, Reiger Park, Kya Sand, Honeydew, Mamelodi, Olievenhoutsbosch and Springs.
There are over 1 500 stranded foreigners squatting at the Cleveland Police Station. Social workers in Cleveland near the Johannesburg CBD have told 702 Eyewitness News that women who’ve fled xenophobic clashes are struggling to deal with disease and other medical problems. The situation is dire and help is needed urgently.
DESERATELY NEEDED DONATIONS:
* Blankets
* Clothes for babies and small children
* Warm clothes for adults (some have been wearing the same clothes for more than 5 days now)
* Baby formula, baby food and disposable nappies
* Food – bread, canned goods, soup, and hardy fruit such as apples, pears and oranges
* Toiletries
ORGANISATIONS WHERE YOU CAN DROP OFF GOODS YOU HAVE COLLECTED:
Rhema: Alan (011 796 4069)
———————————–
Sri Sathya Sai Organisation of Lenasia South: Roy
(082 892 1814)
———————————–
Gift of the Givers: Dr Imtiaz Sooliman ( 011 832 1546 / 083 667 7179)
———————————–
Red Cross Drop off centre:
41 De Korte Str,
Sable Building
16th Floor
Att: Banda
———————————–
Central Methodist Church: (011 333 5926/ 082 600
8892)
———————————–
Personal George 082 565 9405
———————————–
Personal Cyril 082 958 6354
———————————–
All Nation International Ministry (084 285 3335)
———————————–
Chubby Chums (011 825 7773)
———————————————————-
PLEASE FIND OUT ABOUT OTHER CENTRES AND EFFORTS IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD AND HELP.
by Fumane Diseko
on 23. May, 2008
Does any one know of collection points in Cape Town where people can drop stuff off?
by Simone
on 24. May, 2008
Answering my own question but thought I’d post this info. in case others want to know.
Collection points in Cape Town:
Rondebosch United Church (in Belmont Road near the Riverside Centre) needs blankets, food and mattresses.
Alternatively: any civic centre in the city.
by Simone
on 24. May, 2008
If you want to show your support to the cause; and to link visitors to your site to a page full of info on how they can help please add the following code :
by Vincent
on 24. May, 2008
http://www.unitedforafrica.co.za is up and running, please add your data or information for any organisation which you know of and I will get it live asap.
Lets pool our collective resources and make this collaboration work!
by Tim Shier
on 24. May, 2008
This is a national crisis, we are one people one decendent and killing each won’t help us, we fought Aparh-heid now why let us not enjoy our freedom with our fellow borthers and sisters so please let us stop the killing it is now worthless.
by Teboho Twala jnr
on 26. May, 2008
i think this is not right because they are our bro & sisters, we should no treat them like this we fought aparheid now we should not fight our selves because they are human beings and they are proudly Africans, and please let us fight against this its not right its very painfull, imagine if the same would be done to you…
by Memme
on 26. May, 2008
what i will like to say firstly is that in 1975 there was war going around south africa our grandparents suffered 4 us MANDELA fought 4 us people didnt like what was happening but now they r doing that 2 black people like them this has to stop these people must reflect on the past and think of what is doing to our fellow brothers and sisters our fellow mothers and fathers this has to stop and soon i dnt like it my sister doesnt like it, my parents dont like it, even my 4 brothers dnt like it think of how many souls ur hurting this is stupid please its irritating. STOP STOP STOP in JESUS name
by mahlapane mosia
on 26. May, 2008
We have come a long way to reach were we are, so it wil be a shame to all of us to destroy what we have built, what we are doing to our brothers and sisters is not right, we have to understand that we are 1 african family and we need to help each others lifes. so i beg you bafwethu lets fight this xenophobic habit and live together to reach destinations….
by Xolani
on 26. May, 2008
i’M SPEECHLESS I HATE XENOPHOBIA…LET US STOP THIS
by TREVOR MASHILO
on 26. May, 2008
i just like to say i want this xenophobia thing to end let us get together and stop it cuz at the end of da day we r 1
by thandi
on 26. May, 2008
i just like to tell everyone out there to surpport us in the campain of stoping xenophobia ,its unfare we are all africans does that mean we wont visit our fellow african brothers and sisters because were afraid of getting killed stop xenophobia
by Nomsa Zimu
on 26. May, 2008
As a christian i am against xenophobia,God said in His word that the earth is His and its fullness thereof. This people are made with the image of God.So guys let us treat them as humanbeings, they are our brothers and sisters.” Motho ke motho ka batho
by Celeena Morake
on 26. May, 2008
PLEASE STOP THIS KILLING OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISITERSS!!!LETS TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER,LOVE TRUST ONE ANOTHER PEOPLE.WE ARE ALL AFRICAN!!!!
by LETIA
on 26. May, 2008
Thanks for all your comments guys. Glad to hear that the vast majority of us are being proactive about combatting these social injustices.
by Mike
on 26. May, 2008
Its amazing what a word of mouth can do this stated as a one man mission but it has spread to Mike and the guys we are more than glad to assist in a good cause thank you for the initiative…
by Teboho Twala
on 26. May, 2008
[...] South Africa. Stii asks, “What can we as bloggers do about the Xenophobia crisis?” and Mike Stopforth calls on South African bloggers to do something. Meanwhile, Afrigator has launched a special Xenophobia [...]
by Global Voices Online » South Africa: Bloggers need to do more than just write
on 01. Jun, 2008
[...] Stii chiede: “Che cosa possiamo fare noi blogger sulla questione della xenofobia?” mentre Mike Stopforth propone ai blogger sudafricani di intervenire concretamente. Al contempo Afrigator ha lanciato una pagina [...]
by Global Voices in Italiano » Sud Africa: i blogger devono fare qualcosa di più che scrivere soltanto
on 02. Jun, 2008
[...] Stii chiede: “Che cosa possiamo fare noi blogger sulla questione della xenofobia?” mentre Mike Stopforth propone ai blogger sudafricani di intervenire concretamente. Al contempo Afrigator ha lanciato una pagina [...]
by Puntopanto, to make the point » Blog Archive » [GlobalVoices] Sud Africa: i blogger devono fare qualcosa di più che limitarsi a scrivere
on 13. Jun, 2008
I should email you about this.
by AdveldVep
on 05. May, 2009