Why many Nigerians won’t leave South Africa despite xenophobia

Consul-general Godwin-Adama in Johannesburg

Some Nigerians living in South Africa have been talking about why the country remains a safe haven for them despite the fouled air of xenophobia. In interviews published by a Nigerian newspaper, the Nigerians threw more light on the xenophobic attacks that triggered retaliations from Nigeria.

Mr. Wisdom Okoli, a Nigerian Igbo from Anambra State, is one of the Nigerians who is not planning to leave South Africa anytime soon.

Wisdom Okoli arrived Johannesburg, South Africa in 1994; right after the former apartheid country secured its independence from the white supremacists.

He was a youth, full of energy and armed with great footballing skills. Very likely, he must have heard of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns; and fancied himself getting a slot in one of them. But dreams are dreams, and not all come to fruition. “I couldn’t make in that area, so I took up a teaching job. I already had a certificate in education back home in Nigeria.”He recalled.

‘If I leave South Africa, it’s for Canada’

John Peters is another Nigerian who is not ready to relocate from South Africa just yet. And when it eventually happens, he is sure it will not be Nigeria, as he has his eyes set on Canada.

Based in Groblersdal in Limpopo Province, Peter arrived in South Africa 14 years ago to study and work. Today, he’s married to a fellow Nigerian and works with a communication firm, while studying law in one of the universities.

Even though he’s been in that country for five whole years, Peter confesses that he still worries over his personal safety and security, due to what he describes as the “high crime rate and periodic xenophobic attacks.”

Peter says the claim that Nigerians are targeted because of their involvement in crime is false and unsubstantiated.

“The claims are not correct because most Nigerians are into legitimate businesses. Some are medical doctors, some are lawyers, teachers, engineers, lecturers, businessmen and women and entrepreneurs. Yes, there is that less than one percent who are into drug business but they sell only to the whites. The drugs (nyaope) consumed by the local South Africans are manufactured by South African blacks and the police and other security agencies are 100% aware of this. Nigerians are not into robbery and are certainly not into human trafficking.”

On whether the situation is such that he would want to relocate from the Rainbow country, Peter said, “In the future. And when that happens, it will have to be Canada, with my family, for further studies.”

At the moment though, he says his neighbourhood, which is mainly white-dominated, is calm and peaceful. He figures there are about 15 Nigerians in the community.

When reminded that the Federal Government of Nigeria has promised returnees social rehabilitation, his wry answer is, “That’s not enough. They should put more effort into providing adequate infrastructure such as constant electricity, good water, good roads, health and jobs.”