JOHANNESBURG, April 22 -- A night vigil in Johannesburg ended Wednesday morning but the call for an end to xenophobia violence lingers.

Hundreds of South Africans and foreign nationals from all walks of life gathered at the anti-xenophobia night vigil at the Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Gauteng Provincial officials, company executives, church leaders, civil society organisations and ordinary South Africans lit hundreds of candles in solidarity to those who were killed, brutalized and displaced by the current xenophobic attacks.

Those who attended the vigil spent the large part of the night singing, dancing and reflecting in silence on what they could do as individuals to fight xenophobia.

Chichi Maponya, Chairperson of the Board of Brand South Africa, who also attended the night vigil, told Xinhua that the huge gathering is a sign to the world that peace loving South Africans are determined to stop xenophobic attacks once and for all.

"We are doing this in solidarity with those who have died as a result of the attacks and those who have been injured. We want to say to them this is not what we are as South Africans and the attacks do not represent the image of our country. "Our call to all South Africans is that let us unite and fight against xenophobia," said Maponya.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura also attended the night vigil. He called on locals in the province to appreciate and live in peace with foreign nationals.

Makhura said, "We urge every South African to come out and show that we fought for freedom not to fight and kill our African brothers.

"We must stand up and show that xenophobia is an enemy that we must fight everyday. We are one people, one Africa and one humanity."

Former Congress of South African Trade Unions General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi described the vigil as a new movement against xenophobia.

Vavi said, "Our call to all peace loving South Africans is to present a kind and loving face to our visitors from other countries. Stand up and condemn the attacks against foreign nations and unite for peace."

Many ordinary South Africans and foreign nationals also attended the vigil.

"Not all South Africans are xenophobic. Most of us are peace- loving citizens. We want to tell the world that nationals of other countries are much welcome in South Africa," said South African citizen Henry Ngomezulu.

Zimbabwean politician, Dumiso Dabengwa, the current leader of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) came all the way from Zimbabwe to attend the night vigil. He said he was extremely impressed by the unity of the majority of South Africans against xenophobia.

"I am very happy to see the efforts that are being made by the people of South Africa in fighting xenophobia. It is impressive to see people of all races and ages missing their sleep in order to say no to xenophobia.

"We hope that those who have been perpetrating this violence will hid the message and stop the attacks. All Africans were one when we fought colonialism in our country and we now need to live as one," said Dabengwa.

The latest round of xenophobia violence has claimed seven lives- - three South Africans and four foreigners, and left almost 10,000 people displaced.

Police said relative calm was reported in violence ravaged areas overnight after Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Tuesday announced the deployment of army troops in hot spots. But the minister refused to divulge the number of troops to be deployed.