Former African Union Commission Chairperson and ex‑Home Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini‑Zuma warned on 702 that South Africa’s anti‑immigrant tensions are reaching a boiling point, fuelled by fear, soaring unemployment and a surge in undocumented migration. Her remarks came as protests against “illegal” migrants flare up in townships from Gauteng to the Western Cape, prompting some Ghanaian nationals to contemplate leaving the country out of safety concerns.
The veteran politician’s interview underscored a dilemma that has been echoing through Parliament, street rallies and community forums for months: how to address genuine worries about undocumented arrivals without turning foreign nationals into scapegoats for a struggling economy. Dlamini‑Zuma urged South Africans to discuss the issue openly, but cautioned that blame‑shifting will only deepen the divide between the nation and the rest of the continent.
Anti‑immigrant tensions and the search for sustainable solutions
Dlamini‑Zuma argued that the root of the problem lies not in the presence of migrants but in the lack of clear, enforceable frameworks governing movement across Africa. She highlighted the African Union’s protocol on the free movement of people—still pending ratification by many member states—as a missed opportunity to regularise flows and cut the black‑market routes that feed illegal entry.
| Challenge | Current Impact | Proposed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Undocumented migration | Heightened xenophobic incidents; strain on public services | Accelerate ratification of AU free‑movement protocol; introduce faster visa‑processing centres |
| Unemployment | 32.9 % national jobless rate; immigrants blamed for job loss | Launch a national “skills revolution” modelled on India’s trade‑training programmes |
| Public fear and misinformation | Social media fuelling myths; community rallies turning violent | Nationwide media campaign promoting factual migration data; community dialogue forums |
| Border control weaknesses | Porous borders allowing irregular crossings | Invest in biometric border systems; increase joint patrols with neighbouring states |
The table makes clear that tackling illegal entry requires a blend of policy reform, economic investment and public education. Dlamini‑Zuma believes that when migrants are documented and their skills matched to market needs, the tension that currently fuels anti‑immigrant sentiment will recede.
She also dismissed the notion that ejecting foreign nationals would magically solve South Africa’s unemployment crisis. “If people from the rest of the Continent were to leave South Africa, then the following day, there’d be no unemployment? No, there’d still be unemployment,” she said, echoing the view of many labour economists who point to structural deficits in skills development and entrepreneurship.
Drawing on a recent delegation to India, Dlamini‑Zuma described a “skills revolution” where young people are taught practical trades such as phone repair, drone technology and electric‑motorbike maintenance. She suggested a similar model could be replicated locally, creating jobs for both South Africans and documented migrants who bring complementary expertise.
The interview also touched on a more subtle cultural rift: the casual reference by many South Africans to travelling elsewhere on the continent as “going to Africa”. Dlamini‑Zuma challenged the phrasing, asking, “What do you mean you went to Africa? Because where we are, it’s Africa.” Her comment reflects a broader call for South Africans to re‑anchor their identity within the African context, rather than viewing neighbours as outsiders arriving from a vague “other”.
Debate over South Africa’s historical role in regional affairs surfaced when the interviewer raised criticism that the country sometimes favours continental solidarity over tougher stances on governments deemed undemocratic, notably in Zimbabwe. Dlamini‑Zuma defended past engagements, citing negotiations that helped bring opposition parties into Zimbabwe’s power‑sharing arrangements during a period of crisis. She argued that South Africa’s diplomatic approach has always balanced moral responsibility with pragmatic regional stability.
Amid these nuanced arguments, the reality on the ground remains stark. Recent anti‑immigrant protests in KwaZulu‑Natal and the Western Cape have seen barricades erected, mobs chanting slogans against “foreigners”, and reports of assault on undocumented workers. Human‑rights organisations warn that the climate of fear could spiral into larger outbreaks of xenophobic violence, reminiscent of the tragic riots of 2008 and 2015.
| Incident | Location | Date | Reported Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protest outside municipal office | Durban, KwaZulu‑Natal | 12 May 2024 | 3 |
| Demonstration at shopping centre | Cape Town, Western Cape | 20 May 2024 | 1 |
| Rally outside university campus | Bloemfontein, Free State | 28 May 2024 | 0 |
These snapshots illustrate that while most demonstrations remain peaceful, the potential for escalation persists, especially when rhetoric intensifies on talk‑radio platforms and social media.
Dlamini‑Zuma’s call for dialogue is underpinned by a practical agenda: improve documentation, boost skills training, and reinforce border security—all while preserving South Africa’s commitment to African unity. She insists that “we should all talk about it” to separate legitimate concerns about undocumented migration from the broader economic anxieties gripping many households.
The former minister’s remarks arrive at a time when government officials, including the Department of Home Affairs, are drafting tighter visa‑regulation policies and outlining a deadline for undocumented migrants to regularise their status. Critics argue that such measures may push vulnerable workers deeper into the informal economy, while supporters claim they are necessary to protect national security and public resources.
In the meantime, communities across the nation are organising town‑hall meetings, inviting both South African residents and foreign nationals to share experiences and propose grassroots solutions. These local initiatives echo Dlamini‑Zuma’s belief that a collective, fact‑based conversation can defuse fear and foster a more inclusive labour market.
As South Africa grapples with high unemployment, rising crime rates and a strained public sector, the debate over migration will likely remain a flashpoint in the political arena. Yet, the former minister’s emphasis on skill development and regulated movement offers a pathway that could reconcile economic imperatives with the continent’s shared heritage.
If policymakers heed the warning that anti‑immigrant tensions are “explosive”, and if they pair enforcement with genuine opportunities for legal migrants to contribute, South Africa may yet transform its current unrest into a catalyst for broader economic renewal. The on‑the‑ground reality—communities feeling unsafe, migrants fearing for their lives, and a government seeking balance—will determine whether this vision becomes a reality or another missed chance in the country’s complex history.