"I am proud to give back to the host community"
"I am proud to give back to the host community"
Manzini, eSwatini - Seated in his small office at the back of the pharmacy he owns and manages, Congolese refugee Ruffin Musulu recalls how he ended up in the Kingdom of eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, almost two decades ago when he was just 24 years old.
Back in 2000, he was living in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a recent university graduate with a degree in French. A young idealistic youth leader seeing political change happening in his country, he became a member of an opposition youth party. Unfortunately, he became a target and was arrested for his political beliefs.
“I don’t even want to remember what they did to me in that prison,” says Musulu.
Eventually he was released and he immediately fled the country. He made his way first to Zambia then to Mozambique.
Constantly harassed and asked for his documents, life was a struggle in Mozambique. He used to hustle to earn money, by offering to carry bags for people at the market.
“At that time life was very difficult. I didn’t speak the language, I had to sleep on the streets sometimes. I couldn’t believe that as a college graduate I had ended up like that,”says Musulu.
He met some other Congolese refugees who said they were going to go to then Swaziland and he decided to join them.
After walking for a long time, the group managed to reach the border with Swaziland. Musulu recalls that the police inside Swaziland were so helpful to them. The police gave them some juice and bread, which they devoured because they were so hungry. It was winter time and he and his friends were wearing only light t-shirts, but they were given blankets and were allowed to spend the night inside the warm police station.
A local church provided him with support and he was given shelter by one of the congregrants. He applied for asylum and was granted refugee status. He started a business selling second hand clothing and went to school in the evenings to try to learn English. He also picked up SiSwati, the local language. Eventually, because of his degree in French he landed a position as a French teacher in a private school.
He loved being a teacher but he also loved running a business. He decided to start a private secondary school, Rhodes Park High School, which he ran for almost ten years. Musulu believes that getting a good education is the key to success in life. Most parents could afford to pay the fees but Musulu knew there were other children from low income families that were academically qualified but lacked funds. He knew he had to do something.
So while at Rhodes Park High School, he provided scholarships, school uniforms and supplies to over 63 eSwatini needy children.
“I was helped to be who I am today by the people of eSwatini, so it was in my heart that I had to give back to them.”
Musulu notes that many of the Swazi children that he helped at his school are now doctors, lawyers, soldiers.
“I helped invest in this country,” says Musulu proudly.
In 2014, he sold the school to start a new business with a friend but it didn’t work out. Despite this setback, Musulu kept forging ahead. He then moved on working in construction while he took pharmacy courses at night.
“I don’t give up in life,” says Musulu.
“My vision was to have a pharmacy one day, in areas that were not served by pharmacies in Manzani.”
He now owns three pharmacies in Manzini where he employs six nationals. One of his employees, Thembi was one of the first people to help Musulu when he first arrived in eSwatini.
“I was taught by parents that all people are equal. I couldn’t leave my fellow human beings to suffer,” says Thembi, adding, “you don’t need to know somebody to offer them help.”
In addition to the assistance he received from the local community. Musulu also credits his education and thirst for knowledge that has helped him to be successful in eSwatini.
“The Kingdom of eSwatini is a small country but with a big heart,” says Adan Ilmi, Officer in Charge of UNHCR Regional Representation for Southern Africa which covers eSwatini. The Kingdom is a good example on the continent of a country that gives rights to refugees, such as freedom of movement and the right to work and do business. This allows for refugees like Musulu to be able to prosper and even contribute and give back to his host community.”
A new refugee legislation has recently been passed in eSwatini and UNHCR is working closely with officials from the Kingdom of eSwatini to help support its implementation.
“Refugees have rights in eSwatini as well as obligations,” says Anthony Masilela , Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs. “Refugees have contributed a lot to the Kingdom over the years and we are grateful for that.”
“When I left the DRC, I thought it was going to be for a short time. I didn’t take much with me. Now, after nearly 20 years, eSwatini is now home for me. I am proud to live here, to pay taxes here and to employ nationals and to give back to the community,” says Musulu.
The Kingdom of eSwatini currently hosts 1,123 refugees and asylum seekers.
