THE AFRICAN VOICE, March 2009

A popular African entrepreneur in Moore Street Mall is planning to run in the Irish local elections. Toms Emka Ugwu interviews Patrick Maphoso.

Can you give us a little profile about yourself?

I am a South African, residing here in Dublin and will contest as an independent candidate for the Dublin North inner city constituency come June 2009. Since my arrival in Ireland, I have actively participated in several immigrant issues. Immigrants in this country are under-represented, their voices are not heard, there are racial attacks and the authorities that are supposed to protect these immigrants seem to be doing nothing to help.

Why are you standing as an Independent?

Many people may disagree with me, but I personally consider any immigrant candidate running under a political party as a stooge. I was approached by few parties, but I vehemently rejected the idea of joining any party where group views will be contrary to my personal views, especially in critical issues affecting immigrants. These parties have their party manifestos regarding immigration issues and there’s no way a contestant under the party banner can go contrary to the laid down party rules. Some of the immigrant contestants will prefer to die in silence than voice their opinion in public. I detest any situation where my conscience will be mortgaged simply to be a good party loyalist.

It seems your main concern is immigrant voters. Have you forgotten that an immigrant was elected in Portlaoise by Irish voters?

Please get me clear, I have Irish friends, business associates and supporters, but that shouldn’t derail my determination to fight for the immigrant cause in my political career. Many racially biased Irish will be afraid to face the realities of seeing a multi-cultural Ireland. Most of these racially inclined Irish will hate to vote for an immigrant, especially an outspoken candidate like myself. Take the issue of the undocumented Irish in America. The government here has been lobbying to get them status. In contrast to this is the total abandonment of immigrants in Ireland to remain perpetually illegal and undocumented. How then can anyone convince me that the integration policies of the State are going in the right direction? EU immigration treaties provide for the unification of family members of immigrants who are legally residing in another member state. In contrast, Ireland is turning a deaf ear to the plight of thousands of non-EU immigrants’ family members who have been abandoned for years. As they don’t have anybody to speak for them, so it seems they don’t deserve any help after all.

What is your message to voters and what are your prospects for the election?

I am asking everyone to come out and vote for me for a change. I am going to win because I have all it takes to win it.

A longer version of this interview appeared in the March 2009 issue of The African Voice newspaper.