Why Africa needs to speak up against murder in South Africa

The blood-curdling images of cornered men, women (and even children) bludgeoned to death, stabbed with knives or set ablaze have horrified the world. The world is convulsed in rage, indignation and fear. Rage and indignation at the senseless butchering taking place on the streets of South Africa. Fear of the worst if nothing is done urgently. No one, least of all Africans of black descent, ever expected this would happen in independent South Africa.

Many in Africa looked up to South Africa. For a long time the continent's powerhouse, it encompassed the ideals of peace icon and former President Nelson Mandela. It was indeed the Rainbow Nation where brotherhood trumped all else.