International students called ATMs

Xenophobia, discrimination, racism … These kinds of intolerances exists in the higher education social scene.

Despite reaching a certain level of education, local students still need to adjust these attitudes towards their international counterparts, particularly those from North Africa.

Many might say that xenophobia doesn’t exist at CPUT but others, mainly international students confirm it exists in the CPUT social scene. But on CPUT campuses South African female students target male international students, whom they call ‘ATMs’. They use them to obtain money while keeping their local boyfriends. “International students, similar to North African foreigners living in South Africa; spoil and provide local ladies with their needs and wants,” it is said.

“I am disappointed to be called an ATM because we do spoil them as a woman deserves to be spoiled by a man. This is normal where we come from; but unfortunately misunderstood by young South African ladies,” said Hugo, a 4th year student from Angola. “Calling foreign students ATM’s is indicative of these ladies’ lack of self respect,” he added.

The Association of International Students (AIS) believes in change of mentality in higher education and calls local students to co-operate with international students for cultural changes and for the improvement of CPUT, Western Cape, South Africa and the African continent by avoiding such practices.