In 2004 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees highlighted that South Africa is home to more than 4,2 million refugees, second to India. Noting this and the recent xenophobic attacks, the MF considers this Bill crucial to both the management and the filtration of refugees into South Africa. We apologise for the barbarism imposed on foreigners in our country, with the assurance that this is not the way of democratic South Africa.
In 1994 we realised that we are a nation of people with global roots and that colonialism and apartheid had formed our country. In 1996 we were proud to be part of this rainbow nation and we were on our way to transformation, unity and democracy.
Is it possible that we have forgotten our past so soon and that we could perpetrate cruel and barbarous victimisation and discrimination? The MF feels it is necessary for us to remind our people of our past and of the past that made us a rainbow nation. We need to go into our constituencies and work on building relationships between communities and refugees who may be resident in our area. The MF gives its full support to the Refugees Amendment Bill. I thank you.