GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The African proverb, "When elephants fight it's the grass that suffers" is fast becoming a cliché. This, due to its constant use, as war ravages countries in Africa and across the world.
In his weekly open letter, President Cyril Rampahosa reflected on the current Ukrainian situation: "We remain steadfast in our conviction that achieving world peace through negotiation, and not a force of arms, is indeed attainable."
Reflecting on the impact of negotiation in bringing down apartheid, Ramaphosa called for dialogue and mediation rather than a further militarisation of the conflict.
"South Africa abstained from voting in last week's United Nations resolution on the escalating conflict between Russia and its neighbour Ukraine because the resolution did not foreground the call for meaningful engagement."
However, many South African individuals and organisations, including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, have called for the government to take a firmer stance, given the devastating impact, this war is having on the Ukrainian people, with an estimated two million people have fled their country in the past ten days.
Oleg Mikolaiovich Kayerleber, a Ukrainian living in South Africa for the past twelve years, shared his perspectives with his wife, Karen, at a meeting at their home in Graaff-Reinet last Sunday on the situation in Ukraine. He shared the history and complexities of his country.
He is sad that South Africa has not taken a firmer stand against the Russians' invasion of Ukraine. He calls for the government to provide temporary visas to Ukrainian refugees and asks individuals to reflect on their experience of struggle, freedom and democracy.
He spoke of his parents "after a 26-hour drive, then on foot. They are now in Poland," he says with evident relief. His 80-year-old father had wanted to sign up for the Ukrainian citizens' force. But they refused him due to his age.
"When civilians, women and children, and residential properties are attacked, this is war," he says.
The people of both countries share language, religion and many common bonds. "We all have the same blood, we are still brothers." He believes that this is not the Russian peoples' war but that it is Putin's war - about "Putin power" and access to Ukrainian resources.
Is dialogue a possibility? "There is no hope for dialogue. Take the soldiers out, then we can speak. Ukrainians are very patriotic, they will take up weapons to protect their family and their homes."
The Ukrainian people have had thirty years of independence and ten years of freedom he says, "they don't want to go back … the Ukrainian people will not give up, they will fight. They know what it is like to live under totalitarianism".
For more information contact Oleg Mikolaiovich Kayerleber on 072 623 4301.
Graaff-Reinet Advertiser will report on various perspectives on the war in Ukraine and other countries and asks refugees from Africa and beyond to share their stories.
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