World Immigration News

(The Guardian)How did South Africa produce an anti-African movement?

Release Date: 2026-07-08
Media: The Guardian
Summary: The article examines the recent surge of anti-immigrant protests in South Africa through an interview with cultural historian Fezokuhle Mthonti. The campaign, centered on the slogan "Abahambe!" ("They must go!"), has led to violence, at least four deaths, and the displacement of thousands of African migrants. Unlike previous outbreaks of xenophobic violence, Mthonti argues that this movement has gained greater financial backing, mainstream media attention, and a degree of political legitimacy.

According to Mthonti, the protests are rooted in deep economic insecurity, persistent inequality, and the unfulfilled promises of the post-apartheid era. Both South Africans and migrants face similar hardships, yet political and social narratives have turned them against one another by framing the issue as "us versus them." She argues that South Africa's history of colonialism, slavery, and apartheid has left unresolved divisions that are now being redirected into xenophobia, despite the country's historical reliance on migrant labor.

The article also places South Africa's experience within a broader global trend of rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Mthonti suggests that economic stagnation, weak social cohesion, and political failures have encouraged the scapegoating of migrants, reflecting developments seen in other parts of the world. The piece presents her analysis as one perspective on the causes of the current crisis rather than a definitive account.
Tags: South Africa

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