International Trade Economist Trevor Simumba has proposed that Zambians should start boycotting South African goods every Friday in the wake of the xenophobic attacks.
Mr Simumba said staging rolling boycotts every Friday would send a strong signal to South African that Zambians would not tolerate xenophobia.
He said Zambians should deliberately abandon all South African goods as a way of forcing the South African authorities to clamp down on xenophobia.
Mr Simumba was speaking when he featured on Radio Christian Voice’s ChatBack radio programme on Monday.
‘I was supposed to attend an investment conference in South Africa this week and i was required to pay R3, 000 but i have since called because of the nonsense going on in that country. Why should i be giving away my money to these South Africans who are not even grateful for all the sacrifices we made for them?’
‘For me i have since decided not to fly South African Airways anymore, i have adopted Rwanda if i want to go into Jobourg,’ he said.
He added, ‘For me what is happening in South Africa is unacceptable and the whole of Africa must raise its voice and condemn xenophobia. It is symptomatic of a failure of leadership we see across Africa because generally Africa is suffering from myopic leadership.’
Mr Simumba dismissed the notion that Zambia cannot do without South African products saying the truth is that South Africa equally depends on Zambia for its trade.
‘Yes it is true that Zambia depends on South Africa for its imports, sea route and even air transport. Infact when you go to these chain stores, majority of consumables are products in South Africa but again South Africa depends on Zambia for its economy,’ he said.
Mr Simumba said Zambians should start consuming more locally produced goods as a way of waning themselves from the dependency on South Africa.
‘If you like shopping in Joburg, try going to Dubai or Nairobi, if you like Jam produced in South Africa, try Rivonia Jam made in Zambia, that way you will be promoting local products and helping to grow the economy,’ he said.
He also condemned the leaders of the SADC grouping of failing to implement protocols on free movement of the people in the region.
‘The biggest culprit has to be South Africa. These people are so arrogant, just from the airport, the immigration officials are so arrogant and they treat you with inferiority. How can a country that depends so much on travel and tourism behave like that towards foreigners?’
Zero Mudala. I cannot eat Zambian swine( bacon). Neither can I eat Hakainde’s beef.Inama ukukosa kwati matako ya nkalamo!!!
Elyo nkoko shapa Zambia………awe mwandi. Sausage nga wasalula yonse yasunguluka . Viva PICK & PAY
@ Mwembe…..be proud of your country. That is why we have no jobs in the country . All goods are coming from xenophobic South Africa.
here in Zambia, do put them in camps, they lived amongst us in Emmasdale, Villa, Mtendere, their oppressors even sent their choppers to flash them out! One of them even became their leader; we even spent millions and millions of dollars to build new routes to stop supporting their ports; their first President even made his first stop here in Zambia to assure us we made a good decision; oh South Africa what have we wronged you to kill us in this way
Trevor, is ignoring reality. He needs everything he can buy from Shoprite, like it or not. There is no industry in Zambia. The government can’t even run a shop! So if the suggestion is to boycott SA products only on Friday, does he say we need to stockpile on Thursday to avoid buying on Friday? This is utter rubbish, Trevor!
Amen to this. Lets boycott south african products.Proudly Zambian.Bring back ZCBC and NIEC stores abash shoprite and pick and pay.Zambia we can do it.Stop looking down on your selves. Lets stop enriching the South Africans who will just buy more tires to burn our people.
Trevor, be serious. If its to boycot why ONLY friday?? It should be everyday!!!
Myself I like village chicken and not broilers which are full of chemicals. No wonder diseases like bp,cancer,obesity(disease of course) and diabetes will continue. In the 70s it was rare to hear of these diseases. So be careful of what you are consuming.
Boycotting on Fridays will not achieve much. People will just shop on Thursday or wait for Saturday.
I completely agree with Trevor Simumba. I encourage our people (Zambians) to manage their economy properly and to start promoting local products. This includes music, art, tourism, locally manufactured outfit, farm products, etc.
Our politicians must also improve our local facilities so that we wont need our people to go to neighbouring countries for anything. Please build those hospitals, airports, clinics, food processing factories, roads, schools, etc.
Zambia is a blessed country. We have everything from good weather, farming land, rivers, landscapes, educated people and beautiful respectable and respectful people. Most countries envy us and at the same time laugh at us for not utilizing all these potentials.
May the Lord God Almighty bless Zambia.
The other side is like this. You boycott the South African products, the South African industries slow in growth, the economy gets hurt, citizens loose jobs, unemployment levels move from 24% say to 36%. That will interpret in more angry unemployed youths and more intense xenophobia. It is chasing the tail, is it not?
The people who are xenophobic in South African perhaps do not even know that the unemployment levels in their country is lower than other African countries because of its trade with the kith and keen of those Africans they are killing. It is the leadership that needs to educate its citizens in these matters that will change the unemployed’s perception of their neighbours.
So what? If the South african economy tanks less people from other African countries will flock to South Africa and we will get more skilled labour in other African countries.Right now Foreigners are contributing greatly to the South African economy.They should be grateful for the foreigners in their country.It will take 2 generations for the black south africans to change their mentality. In the meantime we boycott white racism and black xenophobia prevalent in south Africa
What contribution? The South African economy is stagnant. It is the slowest growing in Africa. In the meantime millions of Africans, Indians, Bangladeshis, and Pakistanis are pouring into that country. And most of these migrants are mainly vendors. Street vending does not grow the economy. The population is increasing due to migration while the GDP is declining. The GDP was $408 in 2011. It went down to $354 bn in 2014. It is projected to sink to $324 bn this year. So what are these so called hard working immigrants contributing when the economy is in decline.?
Why is the government not taking action like other countries. They are taking chances till they hear a Zambian has been killed before doing what others are doing? Let the Government arrange for transport for those Zambians who want to come back before they are killed. Other nationals have left, meaning only Zambians are left in SA. This xenophobia will not end after all it has never ended since 2008. The Government keeps on repeating to say no Zambian has been attacked, do they know the nationalities of those who have already died, the number has risen to 7 if not more. Last night’s image on Aljazeera where a Mozambique national was stubbed with a knife and dead instantly, is so horrific and devastating, no foreigner in SA is safe including Zambians. Please help to save those souls.
Not all measures the government has put in place are published. Zambians who felt threatened(mostly those in central Johannesburg were being encouraged to return home). By and large some Zambians have already returned home. The High commission approached bus companies to increase the number of trips from Johannesburg to Zambia. Juidan bus services alone has increased the number of buses leaving Johannesburg for Lusaka daily from 1 to 3. It has to be remembered that the majority of Zambians living in South Africa can afford to buy a ticket for their passage back home. For those Zambians illegally in South Africa the only help the might need are exit Visas from the High Commission.
Well said Trevor!
meanwhile they are opening Game stores in Kitwe on 24th April and I can’t wait to go there. I LOVE GAME stores!
Rubbish ! I am not boycotting any South African Products. It is the stupid African leaders who caused this problem. After more than 50 years of independence why should the only product that African countries export to South be hoodlums of street vendors, more than 3 million of them. South Africa has her own poor people to look after.
Simumba lacks logic. Even if you use Rwanda Airways to go to South Africa, the thing is once you’re in Joburg everything your going to touch or step on will be South African. So what sort of boycott is this? just find better things to do!
We are at we are in Zambia because the F00LS have out numbered the wise! Sad indeed….
I travelled a lot to SA between 1995 and 1999, I had noticed this BS but unfortunately none I associated with believed me. The majority of both white and black south Africans are arrogant. They’re have a shot memory including sight, shame on these imbeciles.
Let’s cripple South African Economy, it’s very easy.
Go on with this pathetic analysis – these are the fruits of unfulfilled emancipation, of black-on-black apartheid as inherited from the boers and practiced since Verwoerd, Vorster, Botha, Shaka etc. It was folly to think signing reconciliation and abolition documents was enough – South Africa is as simmering a mess as they come; There was no revolution, just a western rationale which led to de Klerk handing over to Mandela; blacks replaced whites in subjugating those at the bottom of the heap, the curfews and shanties got worse and now we have it; no excuse for the dastardly acts of some by RSA like the US is a psychopathic society. So long as africa’s black leaders see themselves as whites in black skins and say FTR we are heading for Harmagedon all over Africa or RECOLONISATION…sad…
…for the young amongst us, blacks in SA war incarcerated in Bantustans whilst corporate RSA got cheap labor from up north via WENELA system…, whilst the DDR suppressed its nationals, 3rd world scholarship-holders lived a higher standard of living and then came the fall of The Wall – just like in RSA the percieved feind was marked for the head-hunters! The AU MUST meet in emergency session, the Mediterranean is a mass-grave for africans and NO fart from the self-centred bast…ds who call themselves our leaders !
Mr. international economist, give us a local supermarket to buy from on Friday so that we avoid SA products.
Zambia depends on South Africa and soon our leaders will be rushed to Milpark. So what Trevor is suggesting will not work. I see PF and it’s cadres the same way as the savage South Africans. How many Zambians have been killed because they belonged to the opposition? A UPND guy was killed not long ago, how many called for a people not to vote for PF? Even PF cadres have been killed by fellow PF cadres over money issues. Murder is murder whether is it xenophobic or political. Even Libongani condemned the SA murders and yet she has never condemned the political murders her because she wants to protect her job. Shame on us Zambians
Ati “International Trade Economist”, Zambia and its nonsensical titles. Its simple, SA needs Zambia and Zambia needs SA. The legacy of Apartheid and the incompetence of the ruling ANC is to blame. Most South Africans were not educated to a higher level hence the hiring of educated “foreigners”. The ANC has not done much to improve conditions for blacks and other poor South African. Who do you blame first when the economy is bad? Foreigners, look at whats happening in Europe. ANC has to find a way of educating people. Guy Scott was right about his sentiments on SA.
Zambia and South Africa are like Siamese twins. The two friendly countries enjoy cordial relations. The bonds of friendship are founded on common history and destiny. The challenges of yesterday and today need proper solutions to avoid a repeat in future. More investment ot create jobs and provide services. More cooperation in diplomatic and commercial spheres.
I’m confused here Dr whatever
Are we talking about xenophobia here? Are you trying to say we should ignore what’s going on to maintain “friendliness” So as long as Zambians are not the ones dying it is okay? What type of BS is this?!!! Unbelievable!!!!!
Good point Trevor. Unfortunately, Africa has no more leaders with a spine otherwise South Africa needs to be given some heat. What a shame of a nation.
Why do we breath so much hot air on distant issues and yet fail to raise a finger to confront our on mess in our country
” I have stopped using south African airways. If It want to go to joburg I will use Rwanda air. ” What nonsense. Don’t bloody go there if u have the courage of your convictions!
Every Friday? People are been harassed, tortured and killed!! How about every single darn day!!
@Real. I love the way the village chicken runs around for its food. Lizards, frogs, worms and anything that comes from “there”. Kikikikik…..by the way I just had village nkuku for lunch.
And I will be the last person to boycott SA products. I feel there are better ways of stopping the Xenophobic nonsense than boycotting the goods from there
I travel. Long distances at times and I will always go for quality whenever flying.
25 million usd has been looted from KKIA construction and PF bigwigs kids are buying mansions with golf courses in Johannesburg with the loot but you are busy trying to boycott shoprite and March on Fridays. Why not march for the return /accountability of the looted 25 million usd being stashed in South Africa. This is a matter much closer to home!
Zambians are very interesting species. The Treasury is being robbed dry and no one has suggested mass demonstrations to compel the government to clamp down on culprits. Now you want people to boycott products from RSA which we do not even know how to produce? Mr. Simumba, before we agree to boycott[if that will be possible], try telling the politicians to boycott Morningside and Milpark. This country should have been a paradise after 50 years of independence and South Africa should not even have been a factor, but we have been shooting ourselves in the feet all that time, such that we are now on crutches. It is tempting to believe the racist speech made by PW Botha sometime back.
Fellow Zambians let us for once reflect pensively on the animosity perpetrated by our beloved brothers – South Africans on us. Whether or not any Zambian is caught up in the barbaric killing of foreign nationals doesn’t justify the the demonic slaughter ragging on here .Its very sad and immoral for us that because of morning site and Milpark hospital , because of game store, shop rite and other things we should shrink to our own or our equally beloved brother or sister from another country’s destruction. You can’t advise your people in SA to avoid xenophobic hot sport , where do they go in a foreign country? The needed help now for us is evacuation means like all other countrie are doing. Further more condemn SA for her actions, we cannot die in zambia without shoprite, let’s…
Boycott SA products , it time to push our leaders to work towards developing our own effective hospitals, manufacturing industries and stop being held to ransom by other countries . Our leaders must demonstrate that we have the capacity to build first class health facilities , grow our own industries in all its forms by avoiding the spirit of beggary . A father cannot evacuate his own ailing health for attention to a better hospital while his own child’s health is deteriorating in the house. Our dignity depend on self reliance not on begging.