20th May 2008 - By Rajesh Latchman 

This past week’s violence in Johannesburg is very un-African behaviour; it is contrary to Ubuntu and the inclusiveness we agreed to follow in building our rainbow nation. It reeks of the kind of madness that the apartheid government was fond of and undermines Mzansi’s status as a leading democracy in the world.

Unemployment is not a reason, it is an excuse. Our racial or ethnic group is not a reason, it is an excuse and our nationality is not a reason to behave like this. In fact our nationality should be a reason NOT to behave like this against other people, African or not. We have the privilege of being part of the most credible transition to democracy on this continent and in the world. We shame ourselves and tarnish our reputation when we take up arms against other Africans. We show disrespect for the people who gave their lives for our freedom. Is this how we celebrate our freedom, by taking away the freedoms of our neighbours?

Fear and Loathing in Johannesburg - full article.

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