Jun 7 10
When life and death are more important than football
In Johannesburg, a poster celebrates the South Africa football team as the World Cup nears (REUTERS) All roads lead to South Africa for fans – and for refugees trying to escape Zimbabwe’s brutal regime. Barbera is one of hundreds of visitors arriving every day in South Africa. She spent more than a year planning the trip. The 22-year-old had the usual fears about coming. Would the journey be arduous? How could she find somewhere safe to stay in Johannesburg. She worried about crime. And how could she afford it? In the end, she invested her life savings and some…
May 28 10
Norwegian cyclist puts spotlight on refugees
‘The Shirt,’ made of up of 600 football shirts from around the world, is displayed before 70,000 fans at the opening of Soccer City, where the World Cup final will be played on July 11. Bjorn Heidenstrom has almost reached the end of a marathon journey that has seen him bike through Europe and Africa over the past year to raise awareness about refugees among football players and supporters. The former professional footballer from Norway arrived in Johannesburg just in time to attend last Saturday’s gala opening by South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma of Soccer City, the new 94,700-seat stadium…
Apr 21 10
Refugees fear for their kids
Western Cape authorities have threatened to remove the children of refugees who fled xenophobic violence two years ago. “I’d rather die drowning with my children in the ocean than give them away,” said Amelia Nikwakwira, one of dozens of refugees evicted from the Blue Waters refugee camp in Cape Town. The camp was set up for victims of xenophobic violence but the city recently won a court order that they be evicted from it. Though many refugees were reintegrated into their communities, about 200 people, including the Nikwakwiras, moved to a nearby area of grass on the beach. Cape Town…
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