Well-wishers have started mobilising resources to complement the Malawi Government efforts to repatriate Malawians stranded in South Africa following renewed waves of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in that country.
Their gestures follow the government’s appeal to development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations and individuals to help bring home about 10 000 Malawians camping outside Sherwood Hall in Durban, South Africa.
In a WhatsApp phone interview last evening, Malawian social media influencer Stanley Onjezani Kenani said by 6pm yesterday his appeal had raised K33.2 million towards the cause.
He acknowledged receipt of K20 million from home-grown information and communications technology firm Sparc Systems Limited founder Wisely Phiri and his company, K10 million from Creck Hardware and K2 million from Movesecure Africa while he personally contributed K200 000.
Kenani said the response was slow, opining that it could be due to the perception that the affected people voluntarily travelled to South Africa to seek greener pastures.
“They must be brought home safe and sound. Let’s forget how they went there or whether they didn’t have papers. Let’s hold hands and bring them home alive and then everything else will be discussed after they have arrived,” he said.
United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi also pledged to contribute K5 million in response to Kenani’s appeal on Facebook on Monday.
According to the Malawi Humanitarian Repatriation Fund executive summary, Kenani’s fundraising initiative seeks to raise R10 million (about K1.1 billion).
The funds are expected to cover R8 million for transportation and bus hire, R800 000 for food and water, R400 000 for emergency accommodation, R250 000 for medical assistance, R150 000 each for baby care supplies and hygiene packs, as well as logistics and communication. Another R100 000 has been set aside as a contingency reserve.
South African media reports indicate that Gift of the Givers Foundation (South Africa) has hired three buses to repatriate some of the Malawians camping in Durban.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi on Monday convened an emergency meeting involving principal secretaries from 13 ministries and heads of security agencies following the new wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa that has left about 10 000 Malawians stranded.
In an interview yesterday, he confirmed that the meeting took place on Monday, but could not give details on the key issues discussed.
However, according to sources, the meeting, which also brought together senior officials from the Malawi Defence Force and police, Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services director general and Commissioner for Refugees, among others, discussed the worsening situation facing Malawians in South Africa.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Monday indicated that eight buses carrying about 645 Malawians are expected to arrive in the country today.
