The past few weeks in South Africa have been dominated by a fresh wave of xenophobic demonstrations and attacks across the country. These incidents have disproportionately targeted African migrants. In some cases, migrants themselves have been assaulted by violent mobs, while in others, homes and businesses owned by foreign nationals have been vandalised, looted, or destroyed.
South Africa is not alone in experiencing a rise in xenophobic sentiment. Across the globe, anti-immigrant rhetoric has become increasingly mainstream. In the United States, one of the major appeals of President Donald Trump’s political movement has been its hard-line stance on illegal immigration and mass deportations. Similarly, in Europe, far-right parties campaigning on anti-immigration platforms have gained significant electoral support and increasingly challenge traditional political establishments for power.
As one of Africa’s most developed economies, South Africa has long been an attractive destination for migrants seeking employment and economic opportunities. The country’s borders with several neighboring states are relatively porous, and over the years many migrants have entered South Africa, both legally and illegally, in search of a better life.
However, despite its comparatively advanced economy, South Africa continues to face severe socioeconomic challenges. Unemployment remains persistently high, particularly among young people, while poverty and inequality continue to plague large segments of society. Against this backdrop, xenophobic attitudes have steadily intensified, with foreign nationals frequently blamed for taking jobs from South Africans or being involved in criminal activities.
What makes the South African case particularly notable, however, is the specific targeting of fellow Africans. Unlike many anti-immigrant movements elsewhere in the world, xenophobic sentiment in South Africa is often directed overwhelmingly toward migrants from other African countries rather than immigrants in general.
This reality is especially striking when viewed through the lens of South Africa’s history. During the struggle against Apartheid, African nations across the continent stood in solidarity with Black South Africans. Many provided diplomatic support, financial assistance, and refuge for political exiles fleeing persecution. The fact that migrants from those same countries are today among the primary targets of xenophobic violence represents one of the more troubling ironies of post-Apartheid South Africa.
Yet while attacks on fellow Africans continue to attract attention, they are no longer particularly shocking. Xenophobic violence has occurred repeatedly over the past two decades, often flaring up in cycles before temporarily subsiding. This latest wave, although notable for its scale and intensity, is less an aberration than the continuation of a long-standing trend. Years of inflammatory rhetoric, social frustration, and periodic violence have gradually normalized xenophobia within segments of South African society. At this stage, it is difficult to deny that xenophobic attitudes have become deeply entrenched among a significant portion of the population.
There is often a temptation to respond to such incidents by appealing to pan-Africanism or continental solidarity. While such ideals remain important, they do little to address the underlying conditions that fuel resentment. South Africa continues to grapple with unemployment, crime, corruption, inadequate education, decaying infrastructure, and uneven access to economic opportunity. These challenges are not unique to South Africa; they are issues faced by many countries across the continent. South Africa simply finds itself further along the path of development and therefore attracts larger numbers of migrants seeking opportunities unavailable elsewhere.
When large segments of a population face unemployment, poverty, and limited prospects while a small minority enjoys immense wealth, wealth that is itself shaped by the historical legacy of Apartheid and, in some cases, exacerbated by corruption, social tensions are almost inevitable. Such tensions often manifest in rising crime, political extremism, social unrest, and xenophobia.
It is therefore not enough to simply invoke the language of African unity. If South Africa is to overcome recurring waves of xenophobic violence, it must confront the deeper structural problems that continue to undermine social cohesion. Indeed, this lesson extends beyond South Africa. Across much of Africa, meaningful progress will require addressing the economic and governance challenges that create fertile ground for division, resentment, and scapegoating in the first place.
Across the Continent
- Voting in the Ethiopian 2026 election took place on Monday June 1st. Insecurity in parts of the country meant that certain regions had been completely excluded from taking part in voting. Results are yet to be released.Â
- Controversy had broken out in Kenya over an Ebola quarantine facility being built by the United States government that would only be accessible to US nationals, located near the capital Nairobi.Â
- Protests have been held across Nigeria’s capital Abuja over abductions of school children amidst a worsening insecurity situation across the country.Â
- Tanzania’s President Samia Saluhu Hassan has embarked on a 3-day visit to Russia in her first trip since last year’s election which faced accusations of vote-rigging and crackdown on protest which saw over 1000 people killed.Â
Recommended Reads
We Cannot All Leave Africa: We Must Improve It From Within – on emmigration from Africa
Africa’s Younger Generations Must Be Better – on a new generation of African leadship
Quote of the Week
Racism, xenophobia and unfair discrimination has spawned slavery, when human beings have been bought and sold and owned and branded by fellow human beings as if they were so many beasts of burden ~ Desmond Tutu
