President Cyril Ramaphosa said to Kenyan President William Ruto on June 4, 2024, that South Africans are not xenophobic [1, 2].
The remarks follow a spate of anti-immigrant attacks and protests that have strained relations between South Africa and its neighbors. The incident highlights the tension between national migration pressures and the diplomatic goal of Pan-African unity.
During the meeting in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa condemned the recent violence and said there is no place for xenophobia in South Africa [3, 4]. He said the unrest was the work of opportunists who orchestrated the attacks [3].
While some reports characterized the unrest as anti-illegal immigration protests [1], other accounts described the events as a series of xenophobic attacks [2, 4]. Ramaphosa said to reassure African leaders that the actions of a few do not represent the broader population [1].
To address the fallout, South Africa has dispatched envoys to other African nations and various continents to manage the diplomatic repercussions [2]. This move aims to stabilize international perceptions of the country's safety and inclusivity.
Ramaphosa also called for increased African unity to find sustainable solutions for migration [1]. He said the continent must work together to manage the pressures caused by illegal immigration and the movement of people across borders [4].
The president said the collaborative approach is necessary to prevent further instability. By framing the issue as a shared continental challenge, he urged leaders to move beyond condemnation toward systemic policy solutions [4].
“"There is no place for xenophobia in South Africa."”
The South African government is attempting to decouple the actions of violent opportunists from the national identity to prevent a diplomatic crisis with the African Union. By framing migration as a collective continental problem rather than a domestic failure, Ramaphosa is seeking a policy shift that shares the burden of immigration management across African borders.
