| September 06, 2008 |
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 Debate debunks myths about foreigners Brian Hayward WEEKEND POST REPORTER WHILE foreigners boost the local economy by bringing in expertise, they need to be more willing to integrate with locals, according to community and business leaders quizzed this week during a live debate as part of the Friendly City Project. Today the week-long project draws to a close, having established facts and debunked myths around the effects of immigration on Nelson Mandela Bay. The highlight of the project was Wednesday‘s live debate, hosted by Weekend Post and The Herald. The debate, which was broadcast live on the Friendly City Project Internet blog site, drew heated responses from both the panel and readers online. The panel consisted of Dr Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni, municipal head of the environment and health unit; Odwa Mtati, chief executive of the Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci); George Irvine, director of the Institute for Spirituality; Dr Janet Cherry, a lecturer in development studies; and Nokhita Mona, head of the Uitenhage and Despatch Development Initiative (UDDI). It was convened by veteran journalist Paddi Clay. Quizzed as to the reason why the Bay experienced fewer xenophobic clashes this year than the rest of the country, Mtati attributed it to foreigners living in isolated communities. Reacting to the question, a blogger identified as “MC” said: “I am an ex-policeman with 17 years‘ experience/service. In my experience Zimbabweans and Somalians are not involved in criminal activities. Nigerians are the real problem. They are involved in drug running, prostitution and hijackings. If you don‘t believe me, ask any policeman, white or black!” Fellow blogger Sipho Mosondo disagreed, saying: “I think it‘s a sweeping statement from MC to brand all Nigerians as criminals. There are a few good Nigerians who contribute positively to Mandela Bay.” As the heat was turned up on the panel, Mona called for a three-tiered system, including for foreigners to better integrate themselves with locals, for the community to respect foreigners‘ rights and for government to institute more effective policies to look after immigrants. Irvine bemoaned the lack of community leadership dealing with issues arising between immigrants and the community. Chabula-Nxiweni said there were many unused spaces in the city which could be used to create immigrant-processing and integration facilities. With bloggers joining in the debate globally, comments continued to pour in long after the debate had ended. Today, it continues. You can log on and have you say.
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Immigrants and their role in PE AS THE political borders of states across the world are taken down, as countries reorganise into powerful economic blocs, as specialised new markets emerge and millions of people migrate in search of better lives, so the role of cities everywhere is changing. This is the age of the world city. We’d like to think Nelson Mandela Bay aspires to be such a city. It is surely no coincidence that the cities that are attracting economic investment, that are vibrant and cosmopolitan, that are looking for creative solutions to the challenges of urban life, that are hosting major events and boldly pushing their way into the 21st century, are also the ones that are most open to the influences of the rest of the world and to the diversity that brings.... 
Artistic Zambians reach out to kids Luyolo Mkentane SKILLED Zambian “brothers” who call Central their second home, are conducting art workshops at a Port Elizabeth childcare centre as a way of ploughing back into the community. The four “brothers” who call themselves “Ever High Dreadz” are Mutale Kaluya aka Louie X, Allan Kayange aka Ankubwike, Caezar Ngulube aka Rankin C and Kennedy Mutambo aka Number 6.... 
Bafana need to fly high against the Super Eagles Billy Cooper SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT BAFANA Bafana head coach Joel Santana appeared to show his hand at training ahead of today‘s win-at-all-costs 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria to be played at the EPRU Stadium.... 
Manuel named to chair IMF reform committee Business Correspondent in CAPE TOWN FINANCE Minister Trevor Manuel has been named to chair a committee looking at organisational reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).... 
Same old, same old, sigh sigh, switch off I‘M confused. I admit it’s early days yet but the fact remains: I’m confused. A few weeks back, in response to a reader’s letter complaining that they kept on showing the same old tired programmes, Multichoice responded by saying they were launching four brand new channels in September. These channels would, it seemed, breathe new life into the dreary package offer by the BBC....
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