What’s behind South Africa’s anti-migrant protests?

Thousands of foreign workers are under increasing pressure to leave the country.

Foreign workers in South Africa are yet again facing violence and protests by anti-immigrant groups. They accuse them of residing and working in the country illegally and are demanding that they leave by June 30.

South Africa has seen recurrent waves of anti-immigrant violence in the past decade – often directed at other African nationals.

Recommended Stories

• list 1 of 3Gold Rush: Did CIA agent steal $40m in gold bars via work expenses?
• list 2 of 3South African president to face impeachment probe over ‘Farmgate’ scandal
• list 3 of 3Anti-Immigrant anger grows in South Africa as migrants forced onto streets

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the country has become a destination for thousands of workers from neighbouring countries. But many South Africans say the government is not upholding its immigration laws.

So, does South Africa still need foreign workers?

Presenter: Tom McRae

Guests:

William Gumede – Associate professor, School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand

Lindiwe Zulu – Member of the ANC Committee on International Relations and a former South African minister of social development

Ashraf Essop – Immigration lawyer

Save

Share