South Africa's streets are once again awash with the echoes of a painful history, as a surge in xenophobic violence grips the nation. More than 30 years ago, Nelson Mandela himself expressed profound sadness and anger over the growing animosity towards foreigners, reminding his compatriots of their country's rich legacy of unity and solidarity forged during the fight against apartheid. Yet, despite his plea, anti-migrant attacks have periodically flared up, most notably in 2008 when at least 62 people lost their lives.
The current wave of unrest has seen thousands participate in street marches, with campaign groups setting arbitrary deadlines for migrants to leave the country. This has resulted in over 25,000 individuals fleeing, with some nations even evacuating their citizens. Reports indicate fatalities among foreign nationals, including five Mozambicans in May and a Ghanaian citizen more recently, though South African officials have offered differing accounts. Organisations such as Operation Dudula and March & March have systematically blocked migrants from accessing essential health and other public services.
Official statistics reveal that migrants constitute less than 5% of South Africa's population, approximately 3 million people. However, campaigners often make unsubstantiated claims of significantly higher numbers, asserting their focus is solely on illegal migration. Migrants, many of whom have lived in the country for decades and are married to South Africans, report that even proper documentation offers little protection from intimidation and violence.
The root of this anger appears to be deeply embedded in South Africa's severe domestic challenges, including an unemployment rate exceeding 40%, widespread inequality, high crime rates, and overburdened public services. Poorer South Africans, in particular, often blame migrants for taking jobs, engaging in criminal activity, and straining health and education systems. While their frustration with the state of the country is understandable, experts argue that migrants are not the cause of these problems, which are largely seen as a legacy of apartheid, compounded by subsequent corruption and mismanagement.
Jean Pierre Misago and Loren Landau, founders of the Xenowatch monitoring platform, suggest that anti-migrant mobilisation is not merely a spontaneous outcry from frustrated communities. They describe it as a 'political enterprise' co-produced by vigilante groups and the state, through both direct actions and failures to adequately censure violence. With municipal elections held in November, questions have been raised about who stands to benefit from this narrative. Politicians from the opposition party ActionSA have publicly stated that citizens are left with no choice but to demand action against illegal migration, while associates of former President Jacob Zuma have been linked to the March & March movement.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has attempted to navigate these complex political waters by condemning 'fear, anger, hatred or violence' targeting foreign nationals. However, critics argue that his government's response has been too slow and inadequate, failing to address the root causes of xenophobia.