President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly rejected characterizations of the South Africans as xenophobic, even as a wave of anti-immigrant demonstrations spreads across the country’s major urban centers.
The President’s stance was articulated by his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, following a high-stakes working visit by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo to Pretoria this week.
The meeting occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions, including a massive march in Durban on Wednesday that paralyzed the city’s central business district.
“Pockets of Protest” vs. National Identity
Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Magwenya emphasized that the current unrest represents “pockets of protest” rather than a systemic hatred of foreigners.
He argued that while the issue of immigration is a global “pressure point,” South Africans remain fundamentally “open, friendly, and warm people.”
“We will reject any notion that seeks to characterise this country or its people as being xenophobic,” Magwenya stated. “What you have are pockets of protest which is permissible within our constitutional framework.”
However, the spokesperson also delivered a stern warning to those engaging in lawlessness, noting that President Ramaphosa expects law enforcement to take decisive action against individual committing acts of violence.
A Growing Crisis on the Ground
Despite the government’s reassuring rhetoric, the situation on the ground has become increasingly volatile.
On Wednesday, May 6, thousands of protesters shut down the Durban
CBD, forming human chains around buildings in the Point precinct demanding the immediate deportation of undocumented migrants.
The unrest not confined to Durban. Over the past week, similar demonstrations organized by movements such as “March and March” have rocked Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The protests are fueled by deep-seated frustrations over a 31.4% unemployment rate and overstretched public services—issues frequently blamed on the presence of an estimated 2 million undocumented immigrants.
Diplomatic and Economic Aftershocks
The internal friction is rapidly evolving into a regional diplomatic crisis. Nigeria and Ghana recently summoned S’African envoys to express “grave concern” over the safety of their citizens.
The Nigerian government reported that at least 130 of its nationals are currently seeking repatriation following targeted attacks.
The United Nations has also intervened, with the Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the “harassment and intimidation of foreign nationals” and urging S’African authorities to protect all residents regardless of their status.
Beyond diplomacy, the protests threaten South Africa’s economic arteries. The CrossBorder Road Transport Agency warned of potential retaliatory actions in Mozambique that could block Lebombo corridor—a vital route for South Africa’s chrome and coal exports.
Addressing the Root Causes
During their meeting, Presidents Ramaphosa and Chapo agreed that the migration crisis cannot be solved by law enforcement alone.
They pointed to a “frank conversation” needed across the continent to address the “misgovernance, conflict, and instability” that drive millions to seek refuge in South Africa.
As the government moves to quell the fallout, the challenge remains: balancing the constitutional right to protest with the urgent need to protect vulnerable migrant communities in a climate of economic desperation.
