Date: 31st May 2013

To: H.E Ambassador Sayid Sherif Hassan

Somali Ambassador in Pretoria

South Africa

Dear Ambassador Sayid Sherif;

I write for a two-fold purpose; first to express my sentiments on the establishment of the Somali embassy in Pretoria, and then to suggest on impact projects that the embassy may become involved.  I have been resident in South Africa for well over 13 years – a period in which I gained insight into the socio-economic and academic structure of our host society.

Congratulations on your appointment as the ambassador of Somalia to the Republic of South Africa. I am delighted at the opportunity to serve Somalia accorded to you. You have no reason to be alienated as Somalis have established themselves as a participative community. Welcome to South Africa.

I am writing this very important communiqué as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner of the African Union (AU).

Over the years, the search for a better life saw us (as the Somali community) migrating to South Africa. A better life some have found, nonetheless the thought of a lack of such back home leaves a fowl taste in the mouth. The Somali community is therefore motivated to contribute to the development of Somalia and at the same time plough back to South African society.

Further, the presence of an embassy now gives impetus to this cause, knowing our individual and collective rights are now protected, even in a foreign land. Receive therefore our pledge to support efforts toward the progress of Somalia in the re-making.

A number of issues are contentious. What resonates with many are memories of the violence against Somalis and xenophobic attacks against migrant Africans at large. Most regrettable, are the remedies to this phenomenon which have not been pragmatic and failed to eliminate xenophobia in totality.

In a country whose Truth and Reconciliation Commission is renowned as a classic case study, it is unfortunate the principles of the TRC have not been implemented in dealing with hate crimes such as the very current horrific scenes and hate related crimes taking place some of the informal settlements within Gauteng, Free-State and in P.E in the Eastern Cape. Fairly so, the host government is not solely responsible for amicable community relations and integration. This is the opportunity for the embassy to move beyond administrative routines by engaging the South African citizens.

Through various higher institutions in S.A including; GIBS in the University of Pretoria’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme, Wits Business School, UJ and other civic organisations and social enterprises, a Social Entrepreneurship program is proposed. In this entrepreneur skills hands-on and practical course to empower youth and communities we trade with, I’m working hard with Somalis businesses like Salama Cash and Carry to enhance the outlook of township retailers by transferring soft skills, while the hard skills will be exchangeable as well.

The objective is to diminish negative sentiments and utterances against our community and make integration with host society easy and successful; the programme can then be scalable to others. This is also serving as a public relations vehicle for the Somali government, showcasing their contribution towards the disadvantaged youth who are unemployed and mostly unskilled/unemployable and general communities’ development in South Africa. Meanwhile tensions amongst Somali and South African township retailers will subside and social integration will take place throughout this beautiful country.

 

I wish to discuss this amongst other ideas with you, at the earliest opportunity. The scope of discussion ranges from the involvement of the embassy in this social entrepreneurship program, to establishing Somali-South Africa trade forums. Kindly advise if I should furnish you with particular details.

 

Thank you

Sincerely

Mr. Saeed Furaa

Mr. Saeed is a Social Entrepreneur, Freelance Journalist, Entrepreneur, founding president of the newly established Horn of African Social Entrepreneurs in South Africa.  HASEFSA are passionate about addressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges from South Africa to Horn of Africa.

Saeed has also chiefly contributed in the establishment of Salama Cash and Carry (biggest Somali owned Cash n Carry in South Africa) and served as a member of its executive board.

Johannesburg

South Africa

E-mail: hasefsa@gmail.com

E-mail: sedsa.edu@gmail.com

E-mail: saeed@salamacashncarry.co.za

1 COMMENT

  1. Somaliland-southafrica trade forum. There is nothing called Somalia. Somalia is another word for misery, hopleslessness and everything demeaning you can imagine LONG LIVE ALL PATRIOTS OF SOMALILAND REPUBLIC. DEATH TO TRIATORS SUCH AS SIILAANYO AND CABDULLAHI CUMAR.

  2. Somaliland should conduct their affairs as Somalilanders not as Somalians. Business and politics should be separated otherwise a lot of Somalis would lose their business if they try to get political.

  3. I think the author makes good contribution given the situation of the Somali/Somalilanders in South Africa, many of them are being murdered.

    Politics aside, I think it's well written and well thought letter

    It deserves our acknowledgements.