When we talk about xenophobia, we refer to the hatred of foreigners. This hate is unleashed by the presence of foreigners in a particular country by a group of the population and/or citizens of the country. These citizens release their frustration, unhappiness, hatred, etc. on these foreigners by way of boycotting or destroying their businesses, stealing and destroying their personal property, making it uncomfortable or impossible in the workplace, driving them away / out of society, and, in extreme cases, assaulting, robbing, and even killing, the hated foreigners.

In the past, we have experienced sporadic incidents of xenophobia in our country, but never before has it escalated as in the past month or two—so much so that the army was deployed, in conjunction with the police, in some hot spots. (It makes one think of the apartheid regime who instituted regular clock rules in riot afflicted areas.) Dozens of foreigners’ shops were looted and burned. Foreigners were assaulted and some, sadly, were killed.

It is alleged that the spate of attacks began when the Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelinthini, recently, during a mass rally, said that foreigners “must pack up and go” as they are depriving citizens of jobs. Shortly thereafter, violence erupted in Durban and spread to other parts of the country.

The U.N. however, stated that the latest wave of violence was sparked in March due to a labour dispute between foreigners and citizens.

There is no doubt that one of the reasons for the violence, can be placed on the door of so-called blue collar job opportunities, which foreigners snatch up. Local citizens of the Republic thus losing out on these opportunities. Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, asked the question as to why South African employers give preference to foreigners, particularly Africans from the rest of Africa. He, inter alia, said that this trend of preferring foreigners over locals is not something new. In America, for instance, workers from Latin American countries are the ones snatching up blue collar jobs; in Western Europe it is people from Eastern Europe, etc. And, according to Conrad, the reason for this is very simply put: Foreigners“are harder working and are satisfied with less pay.” He continues and states that the reason xenophobia hardly ever or never occurs in the US and Europe, is as a result of a very low unemployment rate. The implication is that South Africa, which has a soaring unemployment rate, should be creating jobs resulting in drastically reducing xenophobia.

Blue collar employment is not the only reason for xenophobia. While I am millennia away from being a political or labour analyst, I base it simply on the fact that there has been little to no xenophobic violence in the workplace lately. These barbaric attacks are primarily aimed at entrepreneurs (traders). Perhaps it’s merely the tip of the iceberg and these are easy targets for attackers, whilst foreigners at for example mines are more protected. Regardless, there is simply more to xenophobia than meets the eye.

Lastly, regarding the background, the Minister of State Security claimed that as little as 1% of the population is pro-xenophobic. If one had to use the media or social media as a benchmark, and judging by reactions to the violence, it appears that he is correct, especially after Monday’s (20 April 2015) tremendous positive civic response. People were protesting against the xenophobia.

What are the consequences of this xenophobia? Again, I am not an expert, but it appears, if I may briefly summarise, as follows:

• South Africa has once again become the skunk of the world.
• South Africans abroad fear for their lives and/or property (dozens of white South Africans have fled Mozambique recently and returned to South Africa).
• South Africa’s trade in foreign countries suffered tremendous losses.
• Foreign investors only become more reluctant to invest in our country which further impacts negatively on the country’s economy.
• People live in fear and conjure up images of a country being destroyed and where large-scale bloodshed takes place, as in the 1960s and 70s in Africa with Uhuru.
• The EFF’s outspokenness and militant actions, instructing whites to return to their place of origin (including Europe); statues of historical figures being splattered with paint; open land that is occupied (overt provocation); the ANC government’s overt discrimination against whites regarding appointments; talk of farms being reduced due to the government’s land reform policy (resulting in large numbers of white farmers leaving the country to farm elsewhere in Africa), etc.—all this and more has resulted in more whites living in fear and asking themselves whether it is only a matter of time before xenophobic attacks start against them.
• It seems that the wave of xenophobia in our country is being incited by an “unknown force” for ultimately political gain, by casting doubt on the current government. Political instability is another potential consequence of xenophobia.

Of course there are many more consequences that can be named.

Let us consider some Bible verses and what is says about foreigners.

• Exodus 23:9—You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
• Leviticus 19:10—Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.
• Leviticus 23:22—When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.
• Deuteronomy 10:19—So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
• Deuteronomy 26:11—And you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given you and your household.
• Numbers 15:30—But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people.
• Psalm 146:9—The LORD protects the strangers; he supports the fatherless and the widow, but he thwarts the way of the wicked.
• 1 Peter 1:1—Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen.
• 1 Peter 2:11—Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

These are but a few verses giving us an indication of what the Lord’s attitude towards foreigners is.

What are we as believers to do in light of these xenophobic attacks in our country? More importantly, what does God expect of us? Here are some brief considerations.

First, we must realise that foreigners have a special place in God’s heart. We must love our neighbours—certainly strangers—regardless of what their motives are and arrival in South Africa (they are not only a bunch of thieves, murderers, fraudsters and drug dealers, even if a number of them deserving of this label). The word of God is very clear that we should love our neighbour, but also our enemy.

Second, as believers we should not be part of unverified talks and fear-inciting stories. We may not, like the world, automatically assume that when a murder, or any other crime, is committed that Nigerians or Zimbabweans are to blame. Says who? Can such statements be motivated by statistics? Do we realise how many locals (yes, even whites!) are guilty of various forms of criminality? We may not agree with the masses and immediately accept that foreigners are mainly involved in criminality, because then we as believers are too inciting xenophobia. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Third, we must realise that our country, like the rest of the world, is caught in the grip of the fall of man, and that ever increasing brutality, criminality, fraud, etc. will be experienced as the coming of our Saviour draws closer. As believers, our beliefs are grounded in God’s sovereignty and therefore we have to consider all these events in light of that truth: God is indeed in control and we need to submit to his sovereign Will. We live in the already and the not yet. Our Lord is the Ruler and King of this world and he reigns over kings and rulers (including President Zuma and the Malemas) of this world (Revelation 19:16; Ephesians 1:21–23).

Fourth, we, as believers, must also make our voices heard against xenophobia. We cannot and should not keep silent. We, as believers, must extend a hand of love, support and help towards people who are subjected to xenophobia.

Fifth, as believers, we must not live in fear, “for God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear can consume and destroy. It is blinding so that one can no longer think rationally or according to the word of God, which should serve as encouragement and a solid anchor. Stacey Reaoch has offered some wise counsel on how to overcome our tendency to live in fear.

Even though this may be a very real threat in the future for white believers, we should cherish an eternal perspective. Someone once said, “Sudden death, sudden glory.” We need to be less blindsided by the things of this world and ponder/focus on our eternal destination. This life is but a throughfare to our eternal glory. Randy Alcorn (in his book Heaven) verbalised it well: “Life on earth is indeed only a very short passage to eternal glory!”

Suffering for Christ during our lifetime is a reality and a calling. The kingdom can only be established through suffering, though we must remember that, even in suffering, we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:36–37).

As believers, we must pray for our neighbours and our enemies (Matthew 5:44–45). How should we pray for our enemies? For repentance? Yes, for conversion the first priority. But if our enemies have not been chosen/elected or earmarked for salvation, we must pray for a change of heart—and indeed a changed attitude. We should pray for the authorities, those appointed in authority by God (Romans 13:1–2; 1 Timothy 2:1–2; 1 Peter 2:13–14)—even if they do not do God’s will (1 Peter 2:18–19).

Pray that government will truly serve the citizens of the country—and foreigners who are here so that the population of South Africa “may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1–3). Pray that South Africans, and foreigners in South Africa, will experience law, order, and justice (Proverbs 8:15).

We must realise that we are called for such a time as this and therefore we must let our light shine. People we come into contact with should be able to view the kingdom of Christ Jesus through and in us.

Mordecai challenged Ester in her moment of truth, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). As Esther of old, we must realise that we were placed on the southern tip of Africa for a reason and purpose. Our ancestors did not flee to Africa from Western Europe, homesteaded here, for their faith in vain. God’s plan for his children (us) is for them to be purified and for his kingdom to come, which often necessitates suffering. We have been called to follow Jesus Christ and to live fully and completely for him (Colossians 1:24; Matthew 10:38). Life on earth for believers will not be a Sunday school picnic—especially in lieu of the Jesus’s endured, ensuring our redemption. He commands us to follow him in suffering!

I conclude with Conrad Mbewe’s words from the passage he wrote last week:

Conrad closes with a quote by one Ken Mbugua who said, “Africa needs the gospel more than it needs food aid. We need the gospel more than we need democracy. The prosperity we need the most is not offered by the American dream.”