African Migrants Not Our Enemies — Thabo Mbeki

#ThaboMbeki on the podium delivering his Inaugural address as the newly #UnisaChancellor 

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has been inaugurated as chancellor of the University of South Africa (UniSA)

BBC News report continues:

The university, Africa’s biggest and one of the largest distance education institutions in the world, said the decision was influenced by his outstanding leadership credentials.

During the ceremony, attended by current and former ministers, Mr Mbeki used his inaugural speech to condemn the violence seen during the university protests, dubbed “FeesMustFall” after the Twitter hashtag, and other protests for better services.  

We must denounce the notion of burning a clinic because we demand better health care."

At a press conference afterwards he also condemned the recent xenophobic attacks on migrants.    

As South Africans, we should never forget the enormous sacrifices that were made by the people of Africa to help us achieve our liberation.

We cannot now behave in a manner that treats other Africans, who are now residents in our country, as enemies or unwelcomed guests."

Mr Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s second democratically elected president in 1999 and stepped down in 2008, after nearly two terms.

The 74-year-old was the founding chairman of the African Union and established the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), aimed at making the continent less reliant on foreign aid and developing trade.