The City of Johannesburg is planning to assist foreign owned businesses operating in townships and other areas as part of its campaign to fight xenophobia and improve social cohesion.
On Monday‚ executive mayor Parks Tau told reporters that the city’s response to the xenophobic attacks had to address immediate and long-term problems.
One of these was foreign nationals trading in communities.
“For example‚ the police may remove a South African trader who might be selling at Chris Hani Baragwanath [hospital] for not having a license to trade. The person then goes back to their community and finds a [foreign] shop owner who might not have a license‚ the [South African] will get aggrieved‚” said Tau.
“We need to ensure that the rules apply to everyone. We will be going out to say ‘this is how you register your company and these are the by-laws’ so that everybody knows the rules and complies with the rules when it comes to the trading environment.
Since April 15‚ the city has been experiencing sporadic xenophobic attacks in areas such as Alexandra and Jeppestown‚ which are situated near hostels.
The city’s public safety‚ communication‚ social development and disaster management divisions have established a joint operations centre which will help the city coordinate immediate responses to the xenophobic attacks.
A cellphone-based platform has been established in partnership with Vodacom‚ which will enable the public to call and get immediate response from the city.
With just a dial of *134*422# the public can use the number to report attacks‚ lootings or any other activities suspected to be linked to the xenophobic attacks.
The platform also creates a facility for those in distress to get free airtime to the tune of R10 to enable them to make contacts with their loved ones.
Tau said meetings had already begun with the Inkatha Freedom Party‚ National Freedom Party and izinduna in the hostels to get all political parties involved in the city’s response action.
The city’s migration advisory panel will continue to provide guidance to the mayor on all issues dealing with foreign nationals in the metro.
The panel is made up of organisations representing foreign nationals and South African organisations active in this space.
Other initiatives to promote social cohesion will include a Joburg Unite for Africa Festival‚ to be held on May 23 at the FNB Stadium and other sport and arts activities which will be announced later.
Johannesburg mayor launches anti xenophobia campaign
The City of Johannesburg is planning to assist foreign owned businesses operating in townships and other areas as part of its campaign to fight xenophobia and improve social cohesion.
On Monday‚ executive mayor Parks Tau told reporters that the city’s response to the xenophobic attacks had to address immediate and long-term problems.
One of these was foreign nationals trading in communities.
“For example‚ the police may remove a South African trader who might be selling at Chris Hani Baragwanath [hospital] for not having a license to trade. The person then goes back to their community and finds a [foreign] shop owner who might not have a license‚ the [South African] will get aggrieved‚” said Tau.
“We need to ensure that the rules apply to everyone. We will be going out to say ‘this is how you register your company and these are the by-laws’ so that everybody knows the rules and complies with the rules when it comes to the trading environment.
Since April 15‚ the city has been experiencing sporadic xenophobic attacks in areas such as Alexandra and Jeppestown‚ which are situated near hostels.
The city’s public safety‚ communication‚ social development and disaster management divisions have established a joint operations centre which will help the city coordinate immediate responses to the xenophobic attacks.
A cellphone-based platform has been established in partnership with Vodacom‚ which will enable the public to call and get immediate response from the city.
With just a dial of *134*422# the public can use the number to report attacks‚ lootings or any other activities suspected to be linked to the xenophobic attacks.
The platform also creates a facility for those in distress to get free airtime to the tune of R10 to enable them to make contacts with their loved ones.
Tau said meetings had already begun with the Inkatha Freedom Party‚ National Freedom Party and izinduna in the hostels to get all political parties involved in the city’s response action.
The city’s migration advisory panel will continue to provide guidance to the mayor on all issues dealing with foreign nationals in the metro.
The panel is made up of organisations representing foreign nationals and South African organisations active in this space.
Other initiatives to promote social cohesion will include a Joburg Unite for Africa Festival‚ to be held on May 23 at the FNB Stadium and other sport and arts activities which will be announced later.
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