KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli led Africa Day celebrations in Durban to promote continental unity and call for calm amid rising xenophobia.

The event serves as a critical intervention as the province faces increasing anti-immigrant sentiment. By addressing these tensions during a high-profile celebration, the provincial leadership aims to prevent violence and reaffirm South Africa's commitment to its neighbors.

Speaking at the Durban Playhouse, Ntuli addressed the complexities of migration and the legal status of foreign nationals in the region. He said that the province must distinguish between legal processes and the human rights of individuals.

"We recognise that migration itself is not a crime," Ntuli said [2].

The Premier's remarks came during the official observation of Africa Day on June 25, 2024 [1]. The celebration was designed to foster a spirit of pan-Africanism, while acknowledging the socio-economic pressures that often fuel local tensions.

Ntuli linked the current struggle against xenophobia to the broader historical trajectory of the nation. He said that the values that drove the fight against apartheid are the same values that should protect immigrants today.

"South Africa's history rejects xenophobia," Ntuli said [2].

The gathering in Durban focused on the necessity of maintaining peace and order. The provincial government continues to monitor areas where tensions between locals and migrants have spiked, using events like Africa Day to signal a zero-tolerance policy toward hate-motivated violence.

Ntuli called for citizens to exercise patience and rely on legal channels to resolve immigration disputes rather than resorting to vigilante actions. The celebration concluded with a call for a more integrated, and supportive, approach to continental migration.

“"We recognise that migration itself is not a crime."”

This address reflects the South African government's ongoing struggle to balance national security and immigration law with the humanitarian requirements of the African Union. By framing the rejection of xenophobia as a historical necessity, the KZN leadership is attempting to leverage the country's anti-apartheid legacy to stabilize volatile social conditions in a province prone to civil unrest.