Residents of Etwatwa, a township on the eastern fringe of Ekurhuleni, have taken to the streets with a resolve that shows no sign of waning – they will keep protesting until foreign nationals vacate the area. The rallies, which began last week, are being framed by participants as a stand against what they describe as illegal immigration, soaring unemployment and the strain on local businesses, rather than an expression of outright xenophobia.
Local shop owners, many of whom are foreign‑born, have found themselves at the centre of the turmoil. On Tuesday, a second‑hand clothing store owned by a Zimbabwean family was forced to shut its doors after a crowd of demonstrators pelted the premises with stones and shouted slogans demanding the closure of all foreign‑owned enterprises. The owners fled with what little stock they could carry, leaving the shop’s front window shattered and a “closed” sign hanging in the doorway.
Community leaders say the protests are a direct response to the spike in joblessness that has plagued Etwatwa since the pandemic. “Our youth are desperate, and when we see jobs being taken by people who aren’t even citizens, the frustration boils over,” said Bongani Mthembu, a resident and former union activist. He added that the township’s unemployment rate is now hovering around 30 %, a figure that, in his view, fuels the anger on the streets.
While the demonstrators claim their grievances are economic, the police have warned that any turn towards violence will be met with a firm response. Ekurhuleni Metro Police spokesperson Thandi Nkosi told reporters that officers are on high alert and that “any intimidation, destruction of property or physical harm will not be tolerated.” She appealed to residents to keep the protests peaceful and to channel their frustrations through lawful means.
The situation has ignited a broader debate about South Africa’s immigration policies. Critics of the protests argue that targeting foreign nationals only deepens divisions and distracts from the structural issues that underpin unemployment. Professor Lindiwe Khumalo, an expert on migration at the University of Johannesburg, noted that “the majority of foreign‑born residents are law‑abiding members of our communities who contribute to the local economy. Blanket calls for them to leave provide no sustainable solution.”
Nevertheless, the sentiment on the ground remains unchanged. A group of women, armed with placards that read “Our jobs, our future,” gathered outside the municipal office, demanding that the city council impose a ban on foreign‑owned businesses. Their leader, Nomsa Dlamini, insisted that the demand is not about race or ethnicity but about “protecting the livelihood of South Africans who have been left behind.”
Business Impact
Since the protests began, at least seven foreign‑owned shops have closed temporarily, citing safety concerns and damage to property. An Ethiopian-owned grocery store reported losses exceeding R150 000 after its storefront was vandalised. The owner, Mekonnen Ayalew, said he hopes “the community will understand that we are also victims of this unrest.”
The municipal council has announced a special task‑force to assess the economic fallout and to explore possible interventions, including skills‑development programmes targeted at local youth. Mayor Mzwandile Radebe promised that the city would “work with all stakeholders to find a balanced approach that safeguards jobs while respecting the rights of every resident.”
Ongoing protests in Etwatwa underscore the foreign nationals protest Etwatwa debate
As the weeks roll on, the protests show no signs of cooling. Residents have announced a series of sit‑ins at key traffic intersections, intending to bring the township’s daily rhythm to a halt until their demands are met. The atmosphere is charged, but many participants emphasise that they are committed to non‑violent civil disobedience.
Social media platforms are awash with video footage of chanting crowds, but also with pleas from entrepreneurs urging a peaceful resolution. A viral TikTok video posted by a South African teenager captured a standoff between protestors and a group of foreign shop owners, ending with both sides exchanging gestures of goodwill. The clip has sparked a modest but hopeful dialogue online, suggesting that empathy may yet find a foothold amidst the tension.
Authorities remain uneasy. The provincial government’s Department of Home Affairs has released a statement reminding citizens that “South Africa remains a nation of laws, and any attempt to drive away lawful residents is contrary to our constitutional values.” Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority is reportedly reviewing reports of alleged hate crimes tied to the protests, though no formal charges have been laid to date.
For the ordinary resident of Etwatwa, the daily reality is a mixture of fear and determination. “We are tired of waiting for jobs,” says Sipho Ndlovu, a 22‑year‑old who has been unemployed since graduating from high school. “If this is what it takes to get the government’s attention, then we will keep marching.”
The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the community’s call for foreign nationals to leave Etwatwa has amplified a national conversation about immigration, employment and social cohesion. As we reported earlier, South Africa’s economy is still grappling with post‑pandemic recovery, and the pressures felt in townships like Etwatwa reflect a larger, systemic challenge.
We will continue to monitor the developments on the ground, keeping our readers informed of any shifts in the protests, policy responses and the impact on both local and foreign‑owned businesses. The hope remains that dialogue, rather than division, will ultimately pave the way for sustainable solutions that benefit all South Africans.