The South African government has approved a ‘special envoy’ to visit Nigeria and other countries affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in their country, Igbere TV reports.
This comes barely 24 hours after the country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, was booed by a crowd of Zimbabwe mourners at the funeral service of Robert Mugabe over the attacks.
Following the humiliation he suffered at the hands of the Zimbabweans, Ramaphosa has now taken steps to address the negative image the citizens of other countries currently have about South Africa.
A statement published on the official website of South Africa’s presidency on Sunday said Ramaphosa has appointed a special envoy to heads of African governments to convey his regret concerning the widely condemned attacks.
Full Statement,
The statement obtained by Igbere TV on Sunday, added that the special envoy are expected to visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Zambia.
“A team of Special Envoys appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa have begun their assignment yesterday, 14 September 2019, and departed South Africa to deliver messages of solidarity to several Heads of State and Government across Africa,” the statement said.
“The team, comprising of Mr Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley Mmabolo and Dr. Khulu Mbatha, will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
“The Special Envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts South Africa, which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property.
“The Special Envoys are tasked with reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity. The Special Envoys will also reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.
“The Special Envoys will brief governments in the identified African countries about the steps that the South African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account.”
