African Integration: South Africa as an Albatross?

The latest bout of xenophobic attacks in South Africa has once more proved how difficult it is for the African countries to be integrated into one economy, a major goal of the African Union (AU).
Recall that as at April 14, no fewer than five persons were killed in the renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa’s Kwazulu Natal province. The attacks which began earlier this week come three months after a similar one in Soweto, near Johannesburg.
The attacks have seen South Africans looting homes and shops owned by foreign nationals, Nigerians inclusive, and the maiming of several foreign nationals. Videos of the attacks have since gone viral online and have angered many across the globe, particularly other Africans whose countries provided shelter for South Africans during the fight to unseat the infamous apartheid regime.
Though the causes of these xenophobic attacks have not been officially explained by the South African Government, the underlying reason, many say, is the anger of South Africans at foreigners who they see as taking over their businesses and jobs. They also accuse the foreigners of being behind the high crime rate in the country.
As much as it is understandable for South Africans to be angry at their economic conditions, it beats the imagination that foreign nationals are made to bear the brunt of their frustrations. It clearly negates the African spirit of brotherliness. So these attacks must not continue.
The South African Government has a crucial role to play in ending these attacks and it should begin by arresting and prosecuting those behind the attacks as well provide adequate security for foreign nationals to live and carry on legitimate businesses in the country. More importantly, the government must address the issue of joblessness among black South Africans. The government also has to drum it into the citizens that resentment and attacks on foreigners mostly from other African countries is an ill-wind that blows no good.