The rise of xenophobic attacks that have seen one Zimbabwean killed, hundreds missing and at least 28 others seek refuge at a South African police station is a cause of worry. In 2008, similar attacks targeting Zimbabweans in the South African townships saw most of them killed, displaced and deported. That this is happening when Africa is fast uniting and has ratified the Grand Free Trade Area calls for an urgent and long term amicable resolution of the crisis.

While the plight of native South Africans who are economically marginalized should be addressed, the South African government should rethink its foreign policy that has denied refugee status to Zimbabweans fleeing the socio-economic and political meltdown in their country. It should also strategically fill its skills gap by tapping into the many Zimbabweans who are doing menial jobs in South Africa, yet they are trained doctors, teachers and engineers just to name a few.

The conflict is a far cry  to respective African countries to interrogate whether they are in control of their economies for despite being independent, the socio-economic benefits of independence in most African countries are not trickling down to the electorate. This is either because the economy in respective African countries is foreign owned  and run with African 'managers' or is controlled by a clique of privileged African elites who widen the rich -poor gap.

The conflict in South Africa should not only stir Africans to address deep seated grievances resulting from the colonial legacy such as resource distribution and boundaries but also call for building understanding and trust among Africans. Intra-Africa animosities will defeat the very purpose of regional economic communities, the grand free trade area and ultimately, African unity.