Roundtable in Abuja to Reassess South Africa's Relations

The League of National Columnists (LNC) is organizing a significant roundtable in Abuja to reassess South Africa's relationship with the rest of Africa, focusing on issues such as xenophobia, migration, economic cooperation, and the future of Pan-Africanism. The event, themed ‘From Mayibuye iAfrika to Abahambe!: South Africa and Other African Countries-Reflections on the Trajectory of a Relationship’, will gather scholars, journalists, diplomats, policymakers, and Pan-African advocates.

The theme reflects the historical support from African nations during the anti-apartheid struggle, where countries like Nigeria, Zambia, and others provided substantial assistance to South Africa. Following the end of apartheid in 1994 and the election of Nelson Mandela as the first Black President, South Africa emerged as a leading economy in Africa.

However, ongoing xenophobic violence against African migrants since 2008 has strained these relations, with the phrase ‘Abahambe!’ symbolizing growing hostility towards foreign nationals in South Africa.