A Strong Call for Unity Between Nigeria and South Africa

In 1988, Mr PW Botha, who was president of apartheid South Africa from 1984 to 1989, said:

"Black people cannot rule themselves because they don’t have the brain and mental capacity to govern a society. Give them guns, they will kill themselves. Give them power, they will steal all the government money. Give them independence and democracy, they will use it to promote tribalism, ethnicity, bigotry, hatred, killings, and wars!"

These words from this racist Afrikaaner and white supremacist shock me.

I heard them 33 years ago, and they still upset me greatly. My anger towards such views and those who hold them will never fade.

Racism has no place in a civilized world or anywhere people live. Botha’s mindset aimed to strip us of our humanity and deny who we are as Africans.

Because of this, we have a duty before God to prove him wrong. We cannot accept, tolerate, or allow a failure of governance in South Africa, Nigeria, or anywhere in Africa.

We must get it right and work together in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and solidarity. If we don’t, racists like Botha will smile in their graves as they watch black South Africans harm their own brothers.

Such actions, if not stopped, confirm the false narrative that Botha pushed, which claims that black Africans are no better than animals and cannot govern themselves.

This is a story we must NEVER allow to be true by our actions or words.

We need to love one another, work together, resolve our differences, and remember that our future depends on love, peace, understanding, unity, and solidarity across all 54 African nations.

Let me explain further.

If you look at the map of Africa vertically, you will see a gun. Nigeria is the trigger, and South Africa is the mouth of the gun.

For this gun to be effective in today’s tough and changing world, both parts must work together. If they drift apart, the gun will become useless, just a forgotten relic or scrap.

We must not allow this to happen. We need to resolve our issues and stand united to reach our full potential and fulfill God’s purpose for our nations and continent.

Without strong cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa, Africa will struggle. Those who believe that black people cannot run their own nations will be proven right.

This is why our relationship matters. We must nurture it despite the challenges we face.

Nigeria and South Africa must be brave enough to speak the truth when issues arise. This way, we can tackle problems, remove barriers, and strengthen our partnership rooted in solidarity.

The bond between us is sacred, forged through the struggles of our ancestors.

That bond must never break.

We should focus on strengthening our partnership and building a group of leaders from both countries who are dedicated to this cause.

But we must also speak the bitter truth. This is why I have taken the time to write this piece.

Consider this.

After saying there would be no compensation for Nigerians who lost businesses and homes during xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Mr Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the South African Presidency, made a troubling statement:

"We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are. They can show us where they have been keeping the drugs so that we can clean up the drug dens in South Africa urgently."

This comment from a high-ranking South African official is disrespectful and disappointing.

It attacks the dignity and integrity of our people.

The next day, she further emphasized her point on X:

"I hope I was loud and clear on the issue of properties: I mean ALL properties!"

Her message made it clear that Nigerians would not be compensated for their legally acquired businesses and properties and painted all Nigerians as drug dealers.

This puts their lives at risk.

Let me put this into context.

According to Nigerian Embassy officials in Pretoria, six Nigerians have been killed in South Africa this year alone. From 2022 to 2023, a total of 98 Nigerians have been murdered.

Yet, not one South African has been arrested for these killings.

Thousands of our people have been forced to flee their homes and businesses. Nigerians have faced violence and humiliation, often targeted by South African security forces, even when they have done nothing wrong.

This is unacceptable. With the disrespectful language from officials like Minister Ntshavheni, it raises even more alarm.

The extra-judicial killings of two Nigerians by South African police recently and the murder of another by unknown individuals have worsened the situation.

Our government has condemned these killings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying:

"These killings raise further questions over the general safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa. The pattern of such incidents shows complicity from security operatives, raising questions of state responsibility under International Law."

The spokesman added,

"Nigeria expresses great concern over the recent public statement by the South African Government, asking Nigerians leaving due to xenophobic protests to show where they hide illegal drugs. Such statements are unacceptable and strongly condemned. They influence hate speech and incite negative actions against Nigerians."

He concluded by saying, "We wish to place the Government of South Africa ON NOTICE that if the situation continues, we will consider all options, as some may be activated if the intolerance and apartheid-style behavior against foreigners do not stop."

This statement carries weight.

Sadly, despite our concerns, the killings have not stopped.

The Nigerian Citizens Association (NICASA) reports that Chika Ibe was allegedly tortured to death by South African police on July 23. Another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chucks, was shot in the mouth and seriously injured during the same raid.

This is serious. Yet the matter does not end there.

Senator Shehu Sani, a former Senator from Kaduna State, expressed his worries about Minister Ntshavheni’s words on X:

"This is from a SENIOR Government official and NOT a thug from the streets."

Sani shared the worry of many Nigerians.

Instead of calming the situation, the Minister replied directly on X:

"I didn’t stutter!"

This shows the Minister lacks restraint.

Yet whether she stutters or not, we are clear in our message.

We ask that you stop the killing of Nigerians, treat our people with respect, and compensate all those unlawfully deprived of their property.