By Courtney Brooks
Hundreds of South Africans and refugees came together in St George's Cathedral on Tuesday to hear strong words from civil society, persecuted foreigners and religious leaders on the xenophobic violence in the Western Cape and other parts of the country.
Emotions ran high among the hundreds of people that filled the pews, sat on floors and stood at the back of the cathedral. They interrupted speeches with clapping and cheers whenever a speaker brought up the themes of a united Africa.
In between each speaker chants of "Amandla! Ngawethu!" rang throughout the cathedral, and they shouted "down with xenophobia", in Xhosa.
"We come here when there is great emotion in the nation, and today is such an occasion," said Chief Justice Pius Langa.
The crowd responded with wild clapping when Langa said the Constitution's promise of human dignity, freedom, and equality was meant for all people within the borders of South Africa.
"I don't see much human dignity when people are made to run, to scream, where people are assaulted and made to plead for their lives," he said.
"The dream that we have of ourselves as a nation is that we are all African, born of the soil of Africa," said cathedral Dean Rowan Smith.
While nearly all of the 13 speakers profusely thanked South Africans for their support, refugee Victoire Ngoy, from the DRC, who is currently living outside a police station, just wanted to go home.
"We are victims of this war against foreigners in South Africa.
"We call it genocide when a strong nation stands up to a destroy a small nation with no defence or revolt.
"We want people to help us to get out of this country. But before this we want the government to pay the damages," he said, seemingly close to tears.
He stepped down from the podium to hugs from people nearby.
Nontembiso Madikane of Masiphumelele and Vathiswa Kamkam of Khayelitsha apologised on behalf of their communities for the crimes committed by other South Africans in the townships.
"We are sorry. We will make sure that what happened, it will never happen again," Madikane said.
"To those who have been bruised, those who have been broken, you are not alone. We are with you as South Africans. We extend to you a hand that wants to show these atrocities will never be committed again in our name," said Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba.
Aids activist Zackie Achmat said "we are ashamed of ourselves", and expressed sadness that the government was not doing enough to help refugees, who were forced to stay in camps rather than be relocated to safe and comfortable areas.