Government has launched an ambitious campaign to prevent future outbreaks of xenophobic violence‚ aimed at changing the way South Africans think about foreigners.

Launched in Durban on Sunday‚ the “We Are One Humanity” campaign will feature roadshows across the country.

Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said: “Now that the situation is stabilising‚ the government is turning its attention to a long-term‚ sustainable intervention that will address the underlying mindsets that motivate these attacks in the first place. It is imperative that the root cause be addressed‚ and for mindsets to be transformed.”

Nhleko said government wanted to create a generation of citizens that was “free from prejudice…enabling them to challenge xenophobic tendencies in society”.

“Xenophobic tendencies represent all that is backwards in society‚” said Nhleko.

He said that the campaign would not only address the current outbreak of violence‚ which has left at least six people dead in KwaZulu-Natal and at least one dead in Gauteng‚ but also prevent future incidents.

Starting on May 2 in Gauteng‚ community outreach campaigns will be held to condemn the attacks and “emphasise the senseless attacks on foreigners”.

There would also be a “mass education campaign”‚ dialogues with other African states and a “Thumbs Up!” sticker would be produced that “shows a commitment to a xenophobic-free lifestyle”.