By Neelam Rahim

A Johannesburg community has come out to express concern about plans by Operation Dudula to launch the organization in the neighbourhood. The Brixton Community Forum and other concerned residents say members of the movement had a planned march as part of the launch in the area.

In discussion with Radio Islam is the forums Sophia Welz.

According to Sophia, operation Dudula is very politically motivated and xenophobic despite the advocates from the movement saying otherwise. 

We must stand up to xenophobia as it divides us as much as it is dangerous. The Brixton community consists of a large variety of people, including a large migrant population where we all live in harmony, she said.

“The main point that we want to drive home is that we want to work on living together peacefully and find ways to see and be with each other, and I feel that this is a threat to that.”

Sophia tells Radio Islam that many people in the community forum are concerned over the violence that Dudula has brought in almost every march they have undertaken. The process is a peaceful march but has aggressive army images.

The JMPD has permitted this march. Knowing the history of these marchers, I presume they will be adequately prepared, she added.

Sophia says, “As South Africans, I think it’s important for us to be curious about other cultures. It’s also important for us to appreciate each other. The Brixton community will be having a gathering soon to express that we want to make South Africa better. We want to contribute to it, how can we all work to make that happen.”

Merely a resident in Johannesburg, Sophia wishes for South Africa to be a place of tolerance and understanding.

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.