SA’s xenophobia reflects a blindspot that now demands a continental response
South Africa’s persistent xenophobic violence against African immigrants is fuelled by economic grievances and political scapegoating, despite evidence challenging claims that migrants are responsible for jobs, crime and pressure on public services. The violence has now become a wider continental problem requiring stronger political leadership from South Africa and other African governments.
South Africa's recurring xenophobic violence against African immigrants stems from economic grievances and political scapegoating, despite evidence disputing claims that migrants take jobs, cause crime, and strain public services. This issue has now escalated into a broader continental crisis necessitating stronger political leadership from South Africa and other African governments.
The World Cup in June 2026 served as a stark reminder of this disgrace, yet the country remained indifferent or oblivious to the issue. Over the past three years, approximately 50 people have been killed in xenophobic incidents in South Africa, while eight deaths were attributed to xenophobic attacks on Africans in the period following June 2026.
These deaths include two Nigerians, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo. The root of South Africa's xenophobia dates back to 1994, when Nelson Mandela became the country's first black president. Since then, xenophobic outbursts have persisted, with sustained cycles of recurrence, becoming an unfortunate but expected consequence of apartheid's end.
This issue has caused South Africa shame and embarrassment, leading figures like Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters to repeatedly condemn the situation. The truth, however, is far more complex than politicians are willing to acknowledge. While South Africa has about 2.63 million immigrants as of mid-2024, most of them originate from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and only about 1% are Nigerians.
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