Durban - A small group of hecklers and troublemakers could not derail a peace march which took place on Thursday in Durban, the scene of violent week-long attacks directed at foreign nationals.
Addressing the crowds at the Durban City Hall, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu said: “Our enemy as Africans is poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and diseases ravaging us, it is not our nationality.”
He reinforced what other political leaders had said that “we are one, we are in Africa, we are Africans”.
Mchunu appealed to foreign nationals to respect locals, adding that South Africans would also respect them in return.
“We don’t want blood in the province, we want peace and solidarity,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu appealed to foreigners not to perpetuate violence as a form of defence against looting mobs.
Thousands of people had gathered at Curries Fontein in Durban for the march against xenophobia.
Mchunu was seen flanked by presidential spouse Thobeka Mabhija, while Treasurer General of the ANC Zweli Mkhize and eThekwini Mayor, James Nxumalo were also in attendance.
The peace march came after violent xenophobic attacks rocked the city of Durban leaving at least five people dead.
However, during the introductions of delegates, the crowds, shouted that they wanted King (Goodwill) Zwelithini who has been widely blamed for the xenophobic attacks following recent public utterances.
Members of the ANC’s Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) were seen assaulting a man accused of stirring up trouble in the stands.
ANA