By Eshioromeh Sebastian
South Africa’s Consul General in Lagos, Professor Bobby J. Moroe, has issued a heartfelt plea for reconciliation between Nigeria and South Africa, urging both nations to move past recent tensions and rediscover the deep historical ties that have bound them together for more than three decades.
Speaking yesterday at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Forum in Lagos, Moroe delivered a passionate keynote address that wove together themes of shared sacrifice, mutual responsibility, and the urgent need for healing in the wake of anti-migrant violence that has strained relations between Africa’s two largest economies.
The consul-general did not shy away from acknowledging the pain and anger generated by recent acts of criminality against foreign nationals in South Africa, but he was emphatic that these incidents do not define his country or its people.
Reflecting on the historic bond between the two nations, Moroe traced the roots of their relationship back to the anti-apartheid era, when Nigeria played a pivotal role in supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle.
“Nigeria stood with us when the world was silent,” he declared. “You funded our freedom. You carried our struggle in your chest. Our struggle was your struggle, our pain was your pain, and indeed, our freedom is your freedom.”
He reminded his audience that the two countries have enjoyed 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations, a foundation he described as being built on far more than official documents.
“How then can a moment of anger erase a lifetime of solidarity?” Moroe asked. “Let us fall in love again with each other’s land.”
Addressing the recent violence head-on, the consul-general made it clear that the South African government has taken decisive action against those responsible for targeting foreign nationals. He revealed that more than 80 suspects have already been arrested across six provinces and will face prosecution.
He was careful to distinguish between the actions of vigilante groups and the official position of the South African state, emphasising that the country’s constitution offers protection to all migrants, regardless of their status.
“In South Africa, we have witnessed acts of criminality by vigilante groups calling for illegal migrants to return back home and taking the law into their own hands,” Moroe observed.
“Let me make it clear: the South African constitution protects both regular and irregular migrants and only competent law enforcement agencies and immigration officers have the legal standing to handle migration issues.”
He also addressed the reprisals that have occurred in Nigeria, describing them as a direct response to perceptions of hostility from South Africa. However, he dismissed reports of a government-orchestrated campaign against migrants as unfounded.
“In Nigeria, we have seen reprisals and push back as a direct response to what is perceived to be a total onslaught by the South African government against migrants. But that is fake news,” he stated.
Moroe expressed confidence that the bonds between the two countries would withstand these challenges, pointing to the enduring strength of what was built through decades of sacrifice.
“These acts seek to undermine us and the foundations upon which our democracy was founded. But they will never break. What is built on sacrifice does not crumble easily,” he asserted.
Drawing on the metaphor of family, the consul-general urged both nations to approach their differences with patience and commitment rather than retreating from one another. He recalled that in years past, Nigeria and South Africa had always found a way to sit down and resolve their disagreements.
“Family does not walk away when it gets difficult. Family leans in. Family builds a roof together when it rains,” Moroe said.
He dedicated part of his address to the legacy of Nelson Mandela, noting that July is a month set aside to honour the late statesman. Moroe expressed his belief that Mandela would have been deeply troubled by the current state of affairs.
“Mandela would have been saddened, if he was still alive, by the emerging trends and acts of criminality against foreign nationals by vigilante groups,” he remarked.
However, the consul-general stressed that reconciliation must translate into tangible outcomes. He cautioned that healing cannot remain an abstract ideal but must manifest in the economic and social cooperation between both countries.
“Healing, just as reconciliation, cannot live on words alone but must live in our work, in our trade and in the things we build together,” Moroe insisted.
He called on both governments to take responsibility for creating conditions that generate employment and reduce poverty, arguing that these efforts would directly address the root causes of migration-related tensions.
“It is the responsibility of both the sending and receiving states to safeguard their respective citizens, and those of other states. The future requires shared responsibility amongst nation states,” he said.
“When we protect people and create jobs, we protect relationships. It is the responsibility of both South Africa and Nigeria to do so. Let us ensure that the wealth from our land creates jobs.”
Beyond bilateral relations, Moroe called for Nigeria and South Africa to present a united front on the continental and global stage. He argued that Africa’s two most powerful nations must align their positions to demand greater influence in international institutions.
“Nigeria and South Africa must speak with one voice. We must demand two permanent seats for Africa, with all prerogatives. Not as a favour. But as a right,” he declared.
He also took aim at the outdated structures of global financial governance, insisting that the Bretton Woods institutions require urgent reform.
“Voting rights must reflect the economies of today, not 1944,” Moroe said.
Turning to the African Continental Free Trade Area, he envisioned a future where Nigeria and South Africa collaborate rather than compete, ensuring that the benefits of continental trade remain within Africa
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