I fled South Africa without my two daughters –Nigerian returnee

Okafor Ugochukwu

A Nigerian returnee, Okafor Ugochukwu, has recounted how repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa forced him to flee the country, leaving behind his two daughters after losing his businesses and belongings.

Speaking with Vanguard on Tuesday, the Anambra State indigene said he left Nigeria in 2014 in search of better economic opportunities and spent nearly a decade living and operating businesses in South Africa.

Ugochukwu said his journey took him through Tanzania and Mozambique before he eventually settled in Johannesburg, where he established a clothing business.

"I've been there for about 10 years. I left Nigeria in 2014 because I wanted to travel. I have been to Tanzania and Mozambique, but I spent my good 10 years in South Africa. I was doing business there. I had a boutique where I sold clothes," he said.

He disclosed that he had planned to return to Nigeria in 2017 but was unable to do so due to passport-related immigration issues. After his airline ticket expired, he invested his remaining funds in another business.

"I bought my ticket in 2017 because I wanted to return home, but I was denied because of issues with my passport. The ticket expired, so I used the little money I had left to start another business," he explained.

According to Ugochukwu, his first business was destroyed during xenophobic attacks in 2018. With financial support from relatives in Nigeria, he started another venture selling earphones, hair products and other accessories. However, that business was also destroyed during a subsequent wave of attacks.

"They came to my place. They burnt my place and destroyed my business. I lost everything. I had no choice but to run because my life is very important," he said.

He said the latest outbreak of violence forced him to abandon all his belongings and flee South Africa with nothing.

"I left my place without anything. I left broke. My house and everything were destroyed. I'm stranded. I'm homeless. I'm down," he lamented.

Ugochukwu described leaving behind his two daughters as the most heartbreaking part of his ordeal.

"I do have two girls back there. I'm so sorry and disappointed," he said.

He revealed that he sought refuge at the Nigerian Consulate in Pretoria before he was evacuated to Nigeria, expressing appreciation to the Federal Government for facilitating his return.

"Thank God for our President for making it possible for us to return to Nigeria because when there is life, there is hope," he said.

Okafor Ugochukwu

Reacting to allegations that Nigerians contribute to unemployment and crime in South Africa, Ugochukwu rejected the claims, insisting that many Nigerians in the country operate legitimate businesses.

"The only thing they tell us is that we are taking their jobs and taking their women. But I don't understand that because most Nigerians there have their own businesses. We have our own shops. We are there to survive," he said.

He also decried what he described as the stereotyping of Nigerians as criminals.

"Sometimes they think everybody is a drug dealer or involved in illegal things. But no, we are all there to survive and make an honest living," he added.

Describing the living conditions for many foreigners, Ugochukwu likened the situation to a conflict zone.

"Staying in South Africa is like a war zone. When your fellow blacks see you as a threat and keep telling you to go back to your country, life becomes very difficult," he said.

Appealing for government intervention, the returnee urged Nigerian authorities to provide support for citizens who have returned home after losing their livelihoods abroad.

"I'm back in Nigeria to start my life again. I just hope and pray that the government will assist us in one way or another so we can get back on our feet. Even though I lost everything, I'm happy to be back home because when there is life, there is hope," he said.