Key Takeaways
- A surge in anti‑immigrant protests led by the group March & March has reignited xenophobic violence across South Africa, giving undocumented migrants a deadline of 30 June to leave the country.
- Recent attacks have resulted in deaths of Mozambican nationals and displaced dozens of foreigners who sought refuge in places such as Kleinmond town hall.
- Personal testimonies reveal pervasive fear among both documented and undocumented African migrants, despite legal status offering little protection from violence.
- Historical patterns show that economic hardship, high unemployment, and inequality fuel South Africans’ tendency to blame migrants for socioeconomic problems, a trend reflected in declining public welcome rates.
- Government responses oscillate between acknowledging citizens’ concerns and condemning lawlessness, while political parties weigh the electoral benefits of aligning with anti‑migrant marches against reputational risks.
Overview of Rising Xenophobia
African migrants across South Africa report living in constant fear after a wave of marches demanding that illegal immigrants leave the country intensified long‑standing xenophobic sentiment. The campaign group March & March, which has become the face of recent protests, issued an ultimatum granting undocumented residents until 30 June to depart, without clarifying the consequences for those who remain. This deadline has amplified anxiety among migrant communities, many of whom have built lives and families in South Africa over years or even decades. The group’s rhetoric frames migration as an “invasion,” portraying South Africans as refugees in their own nation and urging mass deportation as a solution to perceived socio‑economic strain.
Incidents of Violence and Deaths
The heightened hostility has already translated into lethal violence. Mozambican authorities reported that five of its citizens were killed in “xenophobic attacks” at the end of May. South African police confirmed that two Mozambicans and one South African died during an outbreak of violence in Mossel Bay on the country’s south coast. These fatalities underscore the deadly potential of the rhetoric espoused by protest organizers and highlight the vulnerability of foreign nationals, even those who may possess legal documentation. The incidents have prompted diplomatic concern from neighboring states and heightened calls for protective measures from both civil society and government officials.
Displacement and Shelter Seekers
In the wake of threats, roughly 100 migrants from Mozambique and Malawi sought refuge in the Kleinmond town hall, located about 60 miles southeast of Cape Town, after an angry crowd told foreigners in an informal settlement they must leave. Photographs show displaced individuals clutching belongings while sheltering in the municipal building, illustrating the immediate humanitarian impact of the unrest. Many of those sheltered expressed a desire for assistance from their home governments to facilitate voluntary return, citing safety concerns and the loss of livelihoods as primary motivators for seeking repatriation.
Personal Testimonies of Fear
An Ethiopian entrepreneur who moved to South Africa in 2000 and is married to a local woman described the prevailing atmosphere: “Every day and almost everyone I meet, they are in fear, extreme fear.” He emphasized that legal status offers little protection, stating, “The sad part is it’s not because they are undocumented … But none of the legal documents will protect you from the violence.” His 19‑year‑old daughter, born in South Africa, also lives under the shadow of possible expulsion or attack, highlighting how xenophobia permeates families irrespective of paperwork. Such testimonies reveal a deep‑seated insecurity that transcends legal categorizations.
Historical Context of Migration
South Africa has a long history of importing migrant labour, particularly for its mining sector. After Nelson Mandela’s 1994 election ended white‑minority rule, the new democracy welcomed African migrants, recognizing their contributions to national development. Simultaneously, poverty, economic strife, and hyperinflation in neighboring countries—most notably Zimbabwe—pushed increasing numbers of people southward in search of work and stability. This dual dynamic of demand for labour and push factors from abroad set the stage for a substantial foreign‑born population that has grown over the ensuing decades.
Past Xenophobic Outbreaks and Statistics
Resentment toward migrants has periodically erupted into violence. In 2008, nationwide riots left 62 people dead—including 21 South Africans—and displaced more than 150,000 individuals. A smaller flare‑up in 2015 resulted in at least five fatalities. Surveys by the Human Sciences Research Council indicate that the proportion of South Africans who say they would welcome all immigrants fell from a quarter in 2020 to just 15 % last year. Concurrently, the national unemployment rate has risen by 3.4 percentage points to 43.1 % since 2020, providing a socioeconomic backdrop that fuels scapegoating of foreign nationals for job scarcity and service strain.
Expert Analysis on Blame and Government
Sharon Ekambaram, who leads the refugee and migrants’ programme at Lawyers for Human Rights, observed that struggling citizens often find it easier to blame migrants than to hold the government accountable for systemic failures: “People are struggling to hold the government to account and it’s easier to blame the migrants.” Census data shows South Africa’s foreign‑born population almost trebled from 2% in 1996 to 3.9% of the 62 million populace in 2022, amounting to roughly 2.4 million people. Despite this relatively modest share, the perception of an “invasion” persists, amplified by groups like March & March that claim illegal immigration ranges from 15 million to 30 million—a figure far beyond official estimates.
March & March Group Details
Founded in March 2025, March & March has crisscrossed the country organizing protests. On 30 March the group led a demonstration in KuGompo City (formerly East London) after local residents were angered by later‑disproven reports that a Nigerian had been crowned king. Subsequent marches have taken place in major urban centers including Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. Leader Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma told the Daily Maverick that the group’s funding comes from “concerned South Africans” and contributions via a social‑media page, both financial and in‑kind. Another prominent figure, radio DJ Ngizwe Mchunu—acquitted of riot‑instigation charges linked to the July 2021 unrest—has also been visible at events, lending the movement a degree of notoriety.
Political Reactions and Electoral Implications
In the run‑up to the November local elections, smaller parties such as ActionSA and Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) are attempting to gain support by aligning themselves with the anti‑migrant marches. African National Congress politicians have tried to strike a balanced tone, acknowledging citizens’ concerns while condemning violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a televised address, warned against “lawlessness and violence,” promised a tougher crackdown on illegal immigration and corruption within border authorities, and stressed that only state officials may demand proof of nationality. Political analyst Otlotleng Mokgatle of Control Risks noted that while the issue presents electoral opportunities, it also carries significant reputational and internal‑stability risks for parties that back anti‑migrant protests, potentially rendering them liable for ensuing looting or unrest.
Continued Uncertainty for Immigrants
Amid the turmoil, many African immigrants remain in limbo. Sandy Khumalo, who holds a residency permit and runs the Makhumalo restaurant in downtown Johannesburg serving fellow Zimbabweans, expressed anxiety: “Of course I’m worried, because I don’t know what’s going on, what’s happening… Since 2009, I’ve been here, so this is my home. I’m so stressed.” Her sentiment echoes that of countless others who, regardless of legal status, face an unpredictable future marked by the threat of expulsion, violence, or forced return. As the June 30 deadline approaches, the fate of thousands hangs in the balance, contingent on whether government action, civic intervention, or further unrest will shape the next chapter of migration in South Africa.