DURBAN - A march was held yesterday in Durban by the Ukrainian Association of South Africa.
The association has urged the South African government to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying the government’s stance on the matter was disappointing.
The march was from Durban’s North Beach to Ushaka Marine World and was attended by about 200 people.
The protesters demanded that the government publicly and without reservation condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
They also demanded that South Africa allow visa free entrance to Ukranians whose family members were temporarily or permanently living in South Africa and to tell Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion of their homeland.
“We are ashamed that on March 2, SA abstained from the UNGA (General Assembly of the United Nations) vote to condemn the illegal and illegitimate Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
The association said the consequences of the Russian invasion would not only affect Ukraine but would also hit the most vulnerable people of South Africa through increased petrol prices, food shortages, financial instability and the reduction of funds for development causes.
Katya Fedkina of the Ukrainian Association of SA said South Africans should remember that March is Human Rights Month.
“We call on the South African government to make its voice heard and reaffirm the values of human rights, respect for international law and democracy that are cornerstones of South Africa’s Constitution,” said Fedkina.
Grant Doubell from Westville said his wife is from Ukraine and her family members were there, adding that the invasion was stressful to her.
“The Ukrainians who live in this country should be allowed to bring their relatives over because of what is happening,” said Doubell.
Iryna Kradozhon, who is originally from Ukraine but currently lives in uMhlanga, said she didn’t know how much South Africans could do but it would be good if they did something.
“We have a lot of South Africans supporting us and we really appreciate that. Anything that would make Putin’s life harder will be appreciated, so that he can stop this nonsense,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a Twitter post, the Russian Embassy in South Africa said it had received a large number of letters of solidarity from South Africans, both individuals and organisations.
“We appreciate your support and glad you decided to stand with us today, when Russia, like 80 years ago, is fighting Nazism in Ukraine.”
Russia has maintained that its action in Ukraine is a “special operation” to capture individuals it regards as dangerous nationalists and to counter what it views as Nato aggression, according to Reuters.