Anti-Migrant Protests and Political Debates Fuel Rising Tensions in South Africa

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They won't accept or acknowledge that it is their own corrupt government that created this mess

How do you get a professor based in the UK to comment on the realities of Africa, especially in a country so complex as South Africa? Is DW trying to say there aren't any expert good enough in the whole of Africa to comment truly on these issues?

My mother used to work in local government clinics in South Africa. The volume of undocumented immigrants in my area is huge. Because some patients present identical passports, clinics must take physical measurements to prevent dispensing medication to the wrong individual.

The only surprising thing here is that anyone would migrate to South Africa. Between January–March 2026 alone, there were 5,181 murders, averaging roughly 60 killings per day.

africa's youngest democracy (and most broken, unequal economy) can not be expected to be an orphanage to it's failed states

Entering another country illegally or fraudulently is a criminal offense. The word "xenophobia" is now being use to blackmail citizens of countries that genuinely want immigration laws to be applied and respected and it is losing meaning. This is global phenomenon not unique to South Africa

Migration is, in fact, not solely a European or American issue.
Wherever economic upheavals occur, people seek a way out to escape their misery.
The question also arises as to who drives them to go to specific places.
Political or financial interests—such as those of intelligence agencies or the mafia—are often behind this.

Most humans are social beings who try to help others, regardless of where they come from.
However, humans are also territorial animals.
Much like apes or ravens, they generally tolerate only a very limited influx of other beings,
depending on available resources.
If too many move into the same region at once—or continuously over a period of time—conflict or war ensues.
This applies to humans just as it does to animals.

A country has a limit of how many people it can support and maintain a decent standard of living. If floodgates are opened it becomes impossible to sustain the same quality of life

Is it phrased the same when done in Belfast, Ireland or somewhere in England.

SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT PLANNED AND PLOTTED IT

It would appear that the most citizens of the represented countries of the world doesn't want immigration. Yes, countries have their internal problems, however every country has to work out among themselves these long and years long problems. If men create these problems then it's imperative that men make solutions for these issues.

This is so deliciously embarrassing, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer government. Thank you Cyril, Jacob and Thabo 🎉🥳 Viva ANC, viva.

Disagree with you sir many foreigners they open business and hire other foreigners not south Africans that's the frustration among locals..🇿🇦

wait, Molema says borders are a colonial construct and should be abolished

I support South Africa🇿🇦protect your land.

The professor's analysis looks like a cut and paste job from other jurisdictions and fails to reflect the realities on the ground. These protests started peacefully 15 years ago, and the professors were quick to label them as xenophobic in an attempt to silence the protesters. Over the years, the problem did not go away; instead, it became worse. Today, the protesters have intensified their demonstrations, and until illegal immigrants are deported, tensions will continue to rise. So, continue lying to yourselves if you wish, but the people on the ground are fed up.

Shame on you, you describe what is happening in US and UK as anti-migration but in South Africa as xenophobia

DW always fails to mention that these protests are Anti-“illegal” immigrants … key word that’s always left out by DW is “Illegal “!!!!

Enough us Enough. Too long has south african s. Suffer

Whaaaat? Aren't they far right protesters?

Ngizwe is a very popular Maskandi musician, whose house was also recently burned down. He is a leader of a ''Blue Nation" versus the Red Nation of a rival musician. the mass behind him are the poor consumers of his music.

It's a scapegoat not a real problem… what kind of BS ?

0:56 that's someone who has nothing 😂

You keep calling citizens that fight for their country vigilantes. This will not work Sir.

I believe both perspectives can be valid at the same time. It is wrong to take the law into one’s own hands, and unemployment is ultimately a governmental responsibility. Legal immigration does exist, but there are challenges on both sides: some undocumented immigrants engage in harmful activities such as running illegal industries, while many legal immigrants exploit the extremely slow processing times at Home Affairs to game the system. In addition, South Africa receives far more immigrants from other African countries than it sends abroad, which does have an impact on the economy. Tax collection is also limited, as many low‑income workers lack tax numbers, meaning their contributions are not captured in the formal system

South Africa is a country with a lot of unemployment (32.7%) and this unemployment rate is rising.

Africa needs to look to cooperation between countries and to become more self reliant. This issue is being driven by malevolent forces. Forces that have no interest in job creation.

This has nothing to do with politicians. Ordinary South Africans are tired of being ignored. Illegal immigrants have taken over much of the spaza shop economy and many of Johannesburg's abandoned buildings. South Africans are terrified of the criminal gangs operating in these areas, yet their concerns are constantly dismissed.

Anc should be ashamed after 32 years we shouldn't be here SA citizens fighting to belong,why did anc take over,what does this man mean he it's not rich people rich people have mo problems they are not facing poverty

SOUTH AFRICA IS NOT ORPHANAGE HOME!!!