8. South Africans: a history of exile “My dear brothers, remember when you were fighting in the ANC, you were in Zimbabwe. The MKs – I myself was made to make room for an MK soldier – so I slept down so that the MK could sleep in my bed. We did not ask even a permit, even an ID, only an MK card would do. There is a [Zimbabwean] man sitting there – his father was cooking for the President of this country – and there was no harassment [of South African exiles] – but why are these people doing this to us? [Head of MDC Security, in exile in South Africa, talking at a church service in Braamfontein, March 2004] 129 Key informants in South Africa have pointed out that South Africa is a nation that fought its own liberation struggle on the basis of their exiles being hosted in nations in the sub-region, where they were accommodated and resourced.130 Many who now sit in government are among those who had access to housing, education and other training facilities in African nations, including Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean refugees and South African NGO commentators have mentioned the disappointing lack of recognition of the legitimacy of the current Zimbabwean struggle against oppression, and a general lack of solidarity among South Africans with the plight of political activists from Zimbabwe.131 On the other hand, many South Africans have become involved in the plight of Zimbabweans, particularly church leaders who have acted to set up feeding programmes, provide shelter, clothing, blankets and over-the-counter medications. Some NGOs are involving themselves in advocacy and research, and provide counselling. A few South African lawyers have taken up the cause of Zimbabweans and represented them in the courts. Ordinary South Africans too, have shown compassion and opened their doors to Zimbabweans, sharing meagre resources and protecting them from deportation.132 129 This man was in the Zimbabwe National Army at the time he gave up his bed for MK. Since 2000, he has been severely tortured by both police and army because of his MDC affiliation, but has not been able to get an asylum seeker permit, despite queuing repeatedly. 130 Among others, Elinor Sisulu of the Zimbabwe Crisis Coalition, Johannesburg office, spoke strongly on this issue. 131 This is a common complaint. See quote in this report by MDC Chief of Security, now in exile in Johannesburg. Abeda Bhamjee at the Wits Law Clinic pointed out that the ANC in the 1970s and 80s considered themselves “exiles” and not refugees. She argued that the term “exile” implies somebody who has made a pro-active political decision to leave their nation, while perhaps the term “refugee” suggests somebody fleeing barefoot, because they have no options. 132 See Appendix One, Case Four, for a Zimbabwean who was rescued from the streets by a kind South African. 55