The South African government is still undertaking efforts to extract compatriots trying to escape the Ukraine war, and thus far, a number of students have successfully made it into Warsaw, Poland and Hungary.
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A mass exodus led by foreign nationals in Ukraine was muddied by reports of racism when African students posted videos and images showing how they were cast out of public transport headed towards the Poland border.
At the border post, it was further reported that custom officials were only allowing Ukrainian nationals into Poland, and allegedly assaulting African students for forcing their way out of the war-ridden country.
In a statement, DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor condemned the racist behaviour as a reminder “that we continue to suffer the awful blight of racism.”
“We must not allow racism to placed at the end of the queue in our attention to human rights. It’s extremely important that we keep up the fight for everybody to recognise the equality of every human being,” Pando said.
DIRCO further noted that South African Embassies in neighbouring counties “have been working around the clock to assist South African students stranded in Ukraine.”
Watch: SA students who escaped Ukraine war speak out
Expat South Africa, a civic organisation managed by South Africans living abroad, has been actively working with volunteers in Hungary and Slovakia to help compatriots make it out of Ukraine.
In Poland, the South African Embassy’s Ambassador Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu has, in the past few days, camped at the Warsaw border, working tirelessly to receive students.
Fortunately, at least two South African students have made it to safety, and in a video, the pair shared a special message of thanks to everyone involved in helping them escape the Ukraine war.
A message from two 🇿🇦 students who are now safely with our team in Warsaw (Poland). pic.twitter.com/6lDhOy2GlF
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) February 28, 2022
From what we understand, efforts are underway to board the students on a flight back to South Africa, where they will be reunited with their families.