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Xenophobia: NACCIMA warns against boycott of S’African businesses

By BusinessNews Staff on April 27, 2015

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has warned against calls to boycott South African owned businesses in retaliation for the xenophobic attacks currently targeting African immigrants in South Africa.

Over the past few weeks, many African immigrants in South Africa have faced series of attacks, some of have lost their lives and property in the process. Violence targeting immigrant shops started in the port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed. Residents accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes.

The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25 per cent, according to government figures.

Since news of the attacks broke out, Nigerians have been on the social media calling for a boycott of most businesses and shops operated by South Africans in the country.

A recent post on the Facebook by one Rex Nduoyo called on Nigerians to stop patronising departmental stores and services owned by South Africans.

But the Acting National President, NACCIMA, Mr. Bassey Edem, cautioned against the boycott of the businesses, noting that it was not the solution to the problem.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press briefing on the review of the state of the nation by NACCIMA, Edem said, “I condemn the xenophobic attacks going on in South Africa in its totality. But I can also say that since governments of the two countries are already discussing a way out of the situation, the only thing we can do as Nigerians is to be patient and let peace reign. Boycotting South African owned businesses will not solve the problem.”

Earlier, MTN Nigeria reportedly said about 6,000 Nigerians might lose their jobs should there be a reprisal attack on its facilities due to the ongoing xenophobic escalation.

According to the telecommunication company, about 99 per cent of its workers are Nigerians.

The Corporate Service Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Wale Goodluck, said there were only 12 expatriates working for the company in the country, compared to a workforce of 6,000 Nigerians

President Jacob Zuma said his government was addressing social and economic issues brought up by citizens. He said immigrants contributed to the nation’s economy while others brought scarce skills.

[Punch]

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