(Transcript from World News Radio)
It was meant to be a day of celebration, a celebration of South Africa's 21 years of independence and freedom in the post-apartheid era.
But a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks has cast a dark shadow over the country.
And the gravity of the violence was not lost on those attending a recent ceremony at the South African High Commissioner's residence in Canberra.
Ron Sutton, with this report compiled by Gode Migerano.
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For many, their 21st birthday marks a significant milestone in life.
In South Africa's case, it was an opportunity to highlight its major achievements as a mature democracy.
Instead, South Africans and invited guests at the High Commissioner's residence found themselves reflecting on xenophobic attacks in Durban and elsewhere in the country.
Many are shocked at how black Africans who had sought refuge in South Africa were singled out and brutally attacked.
One delegate from an African country, speaking on condition of anonymity, framed it as an embarrassment to Africa.
"I was saddened. And for another African to behave in such a way was a shameful act. And being a migrant myself here in Australia, I never felt threatened in that way. But you would think, if you are in another African nation, you would think you would be more safe. So it is an embarrassment to Africa."
Young South Africans living in Australia are equally shocked.
One youth delegate said he feels let down by his compatriots.
"It's very sad to see, especially in this day and age, you know, especially because you'd think it would get to a stage where you've come a certain distance, and for that to appear in today's society is kind of disappointing. But we hold encouragement in the fact that our government has responded well to these sorts of attacks."
Anger has been mounting among African youths in Australia towards fellow youths from South Africa.
But members of the South African youth delegation had a message for their African peers.
(First:) "We just want to tell them it's just part of the minority, it's not the majority. The attacks that have happened, they're not actually a reflection of South African society at all. The majority of South Africans, they say, 'Welcome.' We don't actually do the things that have been done." (Second:) "Unity, in my opinion, is not a destination. It's a process that we all need to take part in to sort of work towards it. Of course, it won't be achieved overnight, so it's about all of us taking part. The little effort people might put in, they might take that for granted, but those little steps will lead to big achievements in the near future."
South Africa's High Commissioner to Australia once again conveyed his, and his government's, regret over the incidents.
H.E. Sibusiso Ndebele outlined to the foreign diplomatic corps and Australian government representatives how his government is addressing the matter.
"It is with a deep sense of pain and regret that we, as the South African government, humble ourselves and express our heartfelt apologies to the African continent and, indeed, the international community at large for these unacceptable developments. I assure you that the government is taking the matter very seriously, and we are encouraged that over 307 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and looting. There will be no impunity for the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes."
The High Commissioner says his government is addressing the xenophobic attacks beyond taking punitive measures against the perpetrators.
He says the government is working in conjunction with United Nations agencies.
"The government is working closely with UNICEF and UNHCR in efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to all those affected."
Many of the foreign nationals under attack had built successful businesses in South Africa but were forced to abandon them to save their lives.
Thus, the High Commissioner's statement resounded with some of the African delegates, including this Zimbabwean delegate.
"It's reassuring to know what he has said about the rule of law and making sure it's actually enforced and observed by everybody and that the government is doing everything it can to reassure everybody who is in South Africa, who is staying in South Africa, that it's for everybody. So I think it is a very positive step that they're not only using the law agencies but they're also cooperating with the international community to make sure that justice is actually done."
Four African governments responded to the xenophobic attacks and threats of further attacks on black foreign nationals by offering to repatriate their nationals.
They included neighbouring countries Mozambique and Zimbabwe, along with Malawi and Somalia.
The attacks have driven many foreign nationals into makeshift refugee camps around the country, where authorities have provided emergency shelter.
But asked if the Ethiopian government should consider repatriating its nationals, the Ethiopian delegate suggests that is not the answer.
"In the first place, people move to South Africa from my country -- my own family even -- to seek a better life, and deporting them or repatriating people back to Ethiopia, I don't think that's the solution. But it is beyond my thinking. But there should be a different way of resolving this, because this is just a one-time, like a few-times, incident, so I would not expect that repatriating nationals is the only solution. There should be some fundamental change in South Africans. The community should change their attitude as they changed their attitude towards apartheid."
In the aftermath of the xenophobic attacks, South African nationals working in neighbouring countries including Mozambique had to be repatriated.
Tensions among workers and locals threatened to explode.
There have been calls around Africa and in the African diaspora to boycott South Africa and South African goods in response to the attacks.
But Sibusiso Ndebele, South Africa's High Commissioner, has a different proposal.
"The first step towards correcting something is to admit it -- and South Africa has admitted it from the highest level -- then to take steps to address that problem. My country is taking steps to address it. And here in Australia, what we're doing and what we are receiving is not only criticism. We're getting a lot of very constructive suggestions from our colleagues who have also experienced similar things on the continent. We will deal with that problem by embracing our sisters and brothers from the continent. We are one people. And there isn't a way of dodging that we are one people. And we must build that continent -- South Africa, SADC* -- brick by brick, all of us together."
Despite those assurances, South Africa has been forced to close its embassy in Nigeria due to ongoing protest and fears for the safety of its staff.
In turn, Nigeria has recalled its ambassador to South Africa.
There are growing fears in the business sector that Nigeria, with Africa's biggest economy, may expel the South African telecommunication giant M-T-N and other companies.
In the anti-apartheid protest song Senzenina, black South Africans sang, "What have we done? Our sin is that we are black?"
Now, black foreigners in South Africa are asking the question.
