The latest upsurge of xenophobia in South Africa has prompted the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to take a stand. Recognising the influence of African scientists in South Africa’s scientific achievements, the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, called for an end to the violence.
On Friday, 24 April 2015, Minister Pandor launched the “We are Africa” mobile app in Pretoria. The app can be downloaded for free and allows the public to pledge their support of the government’s anti-xenophobia campaign.
Fully illustrating the DST’s support of foreigners in South Africa, two of the app developers were from other African countries – namely Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Through this mobile platform, users will be able to report any xenophobic attacks which will signal a response from the South African Police Service (SAPS) or the Metro Police.
The “We are Africa” app can be downloaded on Pcs, laptops, cellphones and tablets with Internet access.