Princess Adjei, a Ghanaian woman living in South Africa, has shared her painful experience following recent xenophobic attacks that left her homeless and without a source of income.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Adjei recounted how looters targeted her home and business in Durban, destroying and stealing property she had worked hard to acquire over the years.
According to her, the attackers made it clear that foreigners were no longer welcome in the area.
“There were hair pieces that I was selling here. There were nails, acrylic nails, stuff that I was also selling here. We had dryers, hand dryers that we used to dry customers’ hair with. We had a standing dryer, which is no more,” she said.
Adjei explained that the salon products, beauty items and equipment she depended on for her livelihood were either looted or destroyed, leaving her with nothing.
Reuters reports that she is now among about 200 victims of the attacks who are living on the streets.
The situation has become even more difficult as she struggles to provide for her 14-year-old son and meet basic needs.
“I can’t pay my rent for the shop. I can’t pay my rent at home. I can’t feed my child. I can’t feed my family,” she said.
Despite losing her business and home, Adjei says she has no plans to leave South Africa, even after Ghana offered assistance to citizens willing to return home.
She explained that she grew up in South Africa and considers it her home.
“This is where I grew up, this is where my whole life is, and I am documented. If I was not documented, I would understand, but I’m documented. So, there is nowhere that I can go. I will only reside here in South Africa,” she stated.
Her story highlights the devastating impact xenophobic violence continues to have on migrant communities, many of whom have lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods.
