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JOHANNESBURG – LIKE the proverbial old wine, a collaboration between South Africa’s Ringo Madlingozi, and Zimbabwean colleague, Oliver Mtukudzi, is sounding better with age and healing the rift among the nationals from the two neighbouring countries.
“Into Yami”, the popular song, which has since its release more than ten years ago been a hit in Southern Africa, is hailed as a unifying factor for Zimbabweans and South Africans living in xenophobic hostile townships mostly in Johannesburg.

Among these are Alexandra, Diepsloot, Ekurhuleni, Kya Sands, Katlehong and Hillbrow.
The song, which was composed by Ringo, and jointly sang in isiXhosa and Shona with Mtukudzi is a major hit in these high-density suburbs.

“‘Intoyami’ has cooled tempers! It saved many people, especially at parties where unemployed South Africans will be viewing foreigners, mainly educated Zimbabweans as people who stole their jobs, women as well as committing crimes.

“Having enjoyed this song – ‘Intoyami’, men and women from both countries ended up hugging, kissing and ‘catching each other’ for intimacy. I’m in love with this Zimbabwean man called Kudakwashe Munyoro, and he makes me happy. You can see the power of music in a xenophobic volatile nation.

“I was thrilled to see Zimbabwean women as well going out with our SA men (brothers) while South African women like myself are also in love with Zimbabwean men,” Rhulani Chauke, a South African woman, told CAJ News in Alexandra on Sunday.

Intoyami song was played at an open drinking spot which saw the place, where meat and beer were served in abundance.
In Midrand, north of Johannesburg, the song was played where many professionals from both Zimbabwe and South Africa mingled.

“I’m from Zimbabwe, and my ‘man’ is South African! At first, I was scared of going out to drink and have fun with him in the public because of fear of xenophobic violence associated with South Africans.

“But after falling in love with the man of my heart – Kabelo – he defends me and my people (Zimbabweans) whenever we go out for entertainment.
“Similarly, when we go to places dominated by Zimbabweans such as Braamfontein, Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville, they cannot retaliate or fight well-known South African perpetrators of xenophobia because I quickly interfere to calm down the tension. In other words love is playing a huge role in uniting the two nations,” Rutendo Mugwagwa said.

Jabulani Mkhize, who survived “revenge” attacks by Zimbabweans after falling in love with a Zimbabwean lady testified the “power of love” and the “power of positive music.”

“Had it not been for my relationship with Angie from Zimbabwe, these guys (Zimbabwean men) could have killed me because what I did to some of their brothers in 2008 was evil, wicked and uncalled for.

“I was one of those people who accused Zimbabweans of stealing our jobs, women as well as committing crime. But after connecting with this lady, my eyes were opened. These people are educated and they helped me start my own business without borrowing a cent from the bank.

“I wish if my fellow countrymen and women could swallow pride and learn new things from foreigners instead of seeing them as enemies,” Mkhize said.
In 2008, violent xenophobic tension flared across South Africa.

More than 60 people, mostly Zimbabwean, were killed while more than 200
000 others were displaced after South African nationals accused foreigners of “stealing” their jobs and resources. – CAJ News.