A Decade After Apartheid’s Fall, South Africa Faces a New Wave of Racism—This Time, Black Against Black
More than three decades since the dismantling of apartheid, South Africa is once again grappling with a deepening crisis of racial intolerance—one that has taken a particularly brutal turn. Unlike the systemic racism of the past, today’s violence is being perpetrated by black South Africans against fellow Africans from neighboring nations, exposing a disturbing resurgence of xenophobia rooted in economic desperation and political opportunism.
At the forefront of this movement is March and March, an anti-immigration campaign led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a radio presenter and influencer whose platform has amplified calls for the expulsion of undocumented migrants. The group’s rhetoric has exploited long-standing grievances among South Africa’s unemployed and underpaid workforce, who accuse foreign laborers—particularly from Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana, and Ethiopia—of undercutting wages in sectors like hospitality, construction, and domestic work. With the minimum wage set at just R30 ($1.82, €1.60) per hour, many South Africans argue that migrants are being paid even less, further straining an already fragile economy.
The consequences have been devastating. Violent protests have erupted across major cities, including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, where mobs have targeted migrant-owned businesses, homes, and individuals. Dozens of Africans have been killed, and hundreds more displaced, forcing governments from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Malawi to evacuate their citizens. The 30 June deadline set by March and March—demanding the mass deportation of undocumented migrants—has only intensified the crisis, with President Cyril Ramaphosa condemning the violence as “reprehensible acts of vigilantism” that risk undermining South Africa’s standing on the continent and beyond.
A Crisis with Familiar Roots: Economic Desperation Fuels Xenophobic Backlash
The current wave of anti-migrant sentiment is not without precedent. Europe’s own struggles with far-right populism—where economic anxiety has fueled hostility toward immigrants—mirrors the situation unfolding in South Africa. In both regions, unemployment, stagnant wages, and political neglect have created fertile ground for scapegoating foreign laborers. However, what sets South Africa’s crisis apart is its internal nature: the violence is not directed at Europeans or Asians, but at black Africans from neighboring nations, revealing a deep-seated fracture within Africa itself.
President John Mahama of Ghana recently described the situation as “xenophobia in its purest form” during a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London. His words underscore a growing concern among African leaders that South Africa’s actions could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the pan-African solidarity that has historically defined the continent’s unity.
Government Failure and the Rise of Vigilante Justice
Despite repeated promises to crack down on illegal labor, South Africa’s government has failed to implement effective solutions. The African National Congress (ANC)-led coalition, which has governed since the end of apartheid, has struggled to address systemic corruption, economic stagnation, and joblessness, leaving many South Africans feeling abandoned. This vacuum has been filled by March and March, whose leaders—including Ngobese-Zuma—are positioning themselves as potential political contenders, much like Europe’s far-right movements have done in recent years.
President Ramaphosa has rejected the 30 June deadline, calling it “unconstitutional and counterproductive”, but his government’s limited enforcement capabilities have left migrants vulnerable. Police presence has been insufficient, and in some cases, complicit in the violence, further emboldening vigilante groups. The result is a toxic environment where migrants face daily threats, and businesses are being looted and destroyed under the guise of “protecting South African jobs.”
The Global Ripple Effect: How South Africa’s Crisis Reflects Europe’s Migration Dilemma
While Europe has long been the primary destination for African migrants, the majority of displaced individuals never reach the continent’s borders. Instead, they stay within Africa, seeking opportunities in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Yet, as South Africa’s crisis demonstrates, internal migration tensions can be just as destructive as external ones.
Europe’s response to its own migration challenges—particularly through externalization policies—has been widely criticized. The EU’s push for “return hubs” in countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, where asylum claims would be processed on behalf of European governments, has been framed as a cost-effective solution. However, critics argue that these initiatives do little to address root causes of migration, such as poverty, conflict, and climate displacement. Instead, they risk further marginalizing African nations while failing to deter small-boat crossings into Europe.
A Warning for Africa and Beyond: The Danger of Normalizing Xenophobia
South Africa’s current crisis is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend across Africa, where economic hardship and political instability are fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. If left unchecked, this normalization of xenophobia could erode regional cooperation, weaken democratic institutions, and deeply damage Africa’s global image.
For Europe, watching this unfold should serve as a cautionary tale. The same political opportunism, economic despair, and weak governance that have fueled anti-immigrant movements in Europe are now replicating in Africa. If the EU continues to outsource migration control without addressing structural inequalities, it risks encouraging similar backlashes on both sides of the Mediterranean.
What’s Next? A Call for Unity and Reform
The path forward requires urgent action from both South African authorities and the international community. Key steps include:
- Strengthening Labor Enforcement – Implementing strict penalties for employers exploiting undocumented workers while ensuring fair wages and working conditions for all.
- Reforming Immigration Policies – Creating legal pathways for migration that protect both South African workers and African migrants.
- Countering Hate Speech – Holding March and March accountable for inciting violence while promoting inter-African solidarity.
- Economic Investment – Addressing unemployment and poverty through job creation programs and industrial development.
- Regional Cooperation – Encouraging African Union-led initiatives to combat xenophobia and protect migrant rights.
Without meaningful reform, South Africa’s crisis could spread across the continent, proving that xenophobia is not just a European problem—but an African one as well.
