Letters | Silence is never neutral
"South Africa must debate immigration lawfully and honestly. But xenophobia, mob intimidation and the dehumanisation of foreigners are thuggery, not patriotism."
Driving past Durban’s makeshift immigration camp yesterday morning, I was reminded of German theologian and Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous Nazi-Germany warning. “First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
“Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. “Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. “Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
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“Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.” His words are not a comparison, but a poignant reminder: When fear and hatred go unchallenged, silence becomes complicity. South Africa must debate immigration lawfully and honestly.
But xenophobia, mob intimidation and the dehumanisation of foreigners are thuggery, not patriotism. Citizens must speak out and standup. The authorities must act decisively against those who incite hatred, encourage violence or intimidate others.
History teaches us that hatred left unchecked never stops where it begins. If we remain silent today, we should not be surprised when tomorrow it knocks on our own door.
Kees van Welie Durban
