Those who call themselves Pan-Africanist such the Economic Freedom Fighters believe that an African cannot be a foreigner in an African country. The EFF leader continue to reiterate that Zimbabweans, Malawians, Mozambicans are “our fellow brothers and sisters” and not foreigners.
Mzwanele Manyi, the spokesperson for former president Jacob Zuma however begs to differ. He believes that if African countries are identified as sovereign, then all those people from different African countries can be referred to as foreigners in other African countries such as South Africa which are not where they were born.
“If you accept that any of the African countries, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia Kenya etc are sovereign countries, then you must accept that a South African visiting those countries is a foreigner in those countries and vice versa. You can’t have sovereign countries but not foreigners,” said Manyi.
Source: https://twitter.com/MzwaneleManyi/status/1487303165636661251?t=hSPqXc2rdN9ggKqa-mQoqw&s=19
His comes at a time the debate on whether or not foreign nationals should be chased back to their home countries. The South African government recently revealed that it is considering tightening immigration laws so as curb the influx of illegal immigrants in the country.
Critics however argue that this whole narrative of sovereign state and their presidents was imposed on Africans by the Europeans after the Berlin conference which partitioned the continent as they wished.
Many feel that the continent is still perpetuating what was established by those who divided Africa with an intent to exploit it’s resources while subjugating them under territorial demarcations.
Mzwanele Manyi however maintains that as long as African states are sovereign, it’s citizens will be referred to as foreigners in other African states.
“What are they? So, you don’t recognise all the people referred to as Presidents? How do you go from Zambia to Zimbabwe? What do you say at the boarder gate? Can you just cross and say all is home?” Manyi argued.
Source: https://twitter.com/MzwaneleManyi/status/1487318963403042816?t=_9KweaBm7oj_4I8w70n9TA&s=19
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