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AND so it goes on. The discussion about foreigners in South Africa continues unabated, fanned by the recent xenophobic attacks which started in Durban and later spread to Johannesburg.
It is time for columnists to at least mention the contributions - small but important nonetheless - that foreigners make to our economy with their well-stocked tuck shops and other business ventures in the country's big cities. After all, it is about the economy.
However, while the discussions continue to be dominated by economic matters, the actions (and words) of some South Africans against foreigners show they are largely worried about social issues and how their "normal" environment is being altered.
This was at the centre of King Goodwill Zwelithini’s speech that he made a couple of weeks ago in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal and which many people believe sparked the xenophobic attacks.
The opinions of several South Africans I have had conversations with in recent weeks were divided, with a large part eager to admit the economic input of foreigners in recent years.
Those who worked in sectors in immediate competition with the newcomers (foreigners), like the small grocer shops and small clothing retailers, had a different sentiment. I suppose not many people will say kind words about their rivals.
Some allege that foreigners have brought illegal drugs into the country, but this argument falls flat in the face of the fact that many South Africans are languishing in foreign jails for this same offence.
In addition, these South Africans expressed fears about public services and have had robust discussions about who should be permitted to work, have a house and more in South Africa.
However, the most extreme concern raised was how they no longer feel that South Africa belongs to them because of the surge in foreigner numbers.
The discussions around the problem, I genuinely believe, should be looked at from two different angles.
Firstly, it should be recognised that it is far tougher to calculate the number of jobs, houses, or benefits accrued to foreigners as most of the acquisitions are done underhand. One can thus not say with certainty that foreigners have unduly benefited from resources meant for locals.
Secondly, in my conversations with fellow South Africans it was clear that the issue of belonging was centred around ethnicity, and it is fairly clear that the pecking order for belonging in South Africa is based on differences in ethnicity.
For instance, members of certain tribes like to view themselves as the ones having more of a right to be here than others. They would openly demand to be the accepted negotiators of the general land and cultural issues in "their" country.
To me, a country and its population not only matters because it is in a position to describe who receives what in terms of quantifiable resources, particularly those made available by the government.
The country, and by implication its population, matters because it gives equal opportunity to all those who live in it despite their ethnicity or race. It also encourages competition and new ideas.
With all this said, a citizen's need to belong remains fundamental to his/her happiness.
* Mzwandile Jacks is an independent journalist. Opinions expressed are his own.
