UnitedForAfrica.co.za is an interactive portal for all African’s who witness xenophobic violence in Southern Africa or who have relevant information to share or learn. Here you can anonymously submit incidents and news and it will appear on a map-based view for others to see.

They are also currently collecting lists of NGO’s who are able to assist and to verify particular incidents. Through these networks targeted funding and resources can be sent to those who need it most.

All that’s needs for this to work is for you to spread the word about this portal, update it with any unique, first hand, information which you find and do your bit to support the victims of this awful situation. Small donations of money, food, cloths, blankets and anything else you can assist with will collectively make a considerable difference. Please do what you can.

Starting as sporadic and isolated incidents the activity have growing into a full blown assault on our fellow Africans. This portal looks to empower each one of us to make a difference, both in terms of keeping each other informed and providing assistance to those who are being persecuted. If you see or hear anything please report it. Through our collective efforts we can force local and international governments to be frank, honest and responsive to this situation.

Website: www.unitedforafrica.co.za

The Industrial Organizational & Labour Studies Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is hosting an online forum ‘Focus on Xenophobia’ at their website. Articles include:

• Crisis…what crisis? by David Bullard
• Is Government nurturing xenophobia? by Steven Gordon
• Xenophobia in South Africa: The musings of a Zimbabwean postgraduate student at UKZN by Eslidha Chimedza
• South Africa: a land of refuge? by Joly Lutakwa
• South Africa remains safe from serious scrutiny by Azad Essa
• What now? by Aisha Lorgat

Website: http://iolsresearch.ukzn.ac.za/Jt14673.aspx

Today we celebrate Africa Day. We celebrate the people, the diverse cultures, the achievements, the beauty and the splendor of our great continent. I call on all citizens of our city to commit themselves to building a strong, united and prosperous Africa. We must work together to celebrate, develop, protect and build our continent.

At this time we also note with grave concern the recent attacks on foreign national’s in parts of our country. The eThekwini municipality wishes to reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of such xenophobic acts. These attacks go against our human rights culture and weaken our campaigns to build a global community that is free from poverty and oppression.

We call on people to take a firm stand against such violent acts and treat them as hate crimes. Such acts can only take society backwards and open the wounds of racism and intolerance against which so many of our people fought.

We call on all South Africans to spare no effort in speaking out against acts of xenophobia in any form.

The eThekwini municipality calls all civil society organizations, state institutions and security agencies work together to eradicate all forms of racism and xenophobia in our society.

We believe that through the recognition of the crucial role played by the international community in South Africa’s liberation, all South Africans will work together to ensure that we build a better world where people of different nations and races co-exist and live in peace and harmony.

Let us all celebrate Africa and build a strong united Africa.

A recent march was held in the Durban CBD  against xenophobia  and incorporating other concerns. It was led by COSATU, SACP and civil society organisations.

Following on this, the SACP - KZN will be holding a meeting  on Thursday 29 May at 4.30 p.m. at its office in General Building (corner Smith and Field streets). It is inviting civil society organisations to join it to see how to mobilise the whole range of community based organisations to unite in action in the townships and informal settlements:

• against perpetrators of xenophobia in the townships and informal settlements
• help victims (including women and children)
• educate  and raise consciousness about root causes (including common concerns about  shortages of housing, services and jobs)
• develop a cultural programme to bridge cultural divides