Barely a day after he was booed at the funeral of late Zimbabwean Leader, Robert Mugabe, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa is set to send special envoys to some African leaders including President Muhammmadu Buhari.
The action of Ramaphosa is in light of the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in his country.
According to reports, the special envoys would deliver messages of solidarity to several heads of state and governments across Africa amid tensions and violence in the country.
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In a statement by the South African government spokesperson, Khusela Diko dated 15 September 2019, said the special envoys will be tasked with reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity.
The statement read in part: “The special envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts South Africa, which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property.
“The special envoys are tasked with reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity”.
The team of special envoys includes Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley Mmabolo, and Dr Khulu Mbatha, who are expected to visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
Recall that xenophobic attacks broke out in recent weeks in South Africa after a taxi driver was killed by an alleged drug dealer in Pretoria.
This urgent action of the South African leader may not be unconnected to his being jeered at on Saturday at the burial of Mugabe, where he had apologised for the attacks in his country.
Ramaphosa, many feel has not demonstrated proactive actions in addressing the series of xenophobic attacks in his country over the years.