South Africa moves to quell fallout from anti-immigrant attacks
From Polity Audio Articles by Polity
May 5, 2026 · 3 min · Episode 48
About this episode
The episode discusses South Africa's diplomatic efforts to address rising anti-immigrant sentiment and recent protests against illegal immigration.
South Africa moves to quell fallout from anti-immigrant attacks South Africa's foreign ministry is stepping up diplomatic efforts to quell growing concern on the continent about rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the country. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said on Tuesday he's held talks with his counterparts in Nigeria and Ghana, after the authorities in both countries said they summoned the South African envoys over attacks on their citizens. President Cyril Ramaphosa met his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Chapo, on Tuesday to discuss the issue. Anti-immigrant protests in South Africa in recent weeks have revived concerns about xenophobic violence in the country, where migrants are targeted in a climate of high unemployment and overstretched basic services. In 2008, about 60 people died and 50 000 were displaced in a wave of anti-immigrant attacks. Last week, a movement known as March and March held protests against illegal immigration in the capital, Pretoria, and the commercial hub of Johannesburg. "We condemn any violence that comes with these marches," Lamola told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday. "It is un-South African to commit violence in the name of enforcing the law…
Topics covered
- anti-immigrant sentiment
- diplomatic efforts
- xenophobic violence
- South Africa
- protests
- government response
Keywords
- South Africa
- anti-immigrant
- Ronald Lamola
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- xenophobia
- protests
- diplomacy
- Southern African Development Community
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Southern African Development Community
Places: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Pretoria, Johannesburg
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