South Africa: thousands march against immigrants after racist ultimatum
Thousands demonstrate in South Africa against immigrants after a racist ultimatum. Unemployment and the social crisis fuel the scapegoating.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Thousands march in South Africa against immigrants after racist ultimatum
Last weekend, thousands of South Africans took to the streets to demand the expulsion of immigrants, after racist groups issued an ultimatum. The mobilization, which spread across several cities, is the culmination of weeks of assaults and threats against foreigners, who are blamed for unemployment, crime and the collapse of public services.
South Africa's economy, with an unemployment rate above 30%, is the breeding ground for this outbreak. Immigrants, mainly from neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe or Mozambique, have become the scapegoat for a crisis with deeper roots: extreme inequality, corruption and the failure of development policies. The ultimatum, issued by far-right organizations, has found an echo among a desperate population, but experts point out that without immigration sectors such as mining or agriculture would be severely hit.
Curiously, the debate has crossed borders: in sympathetic circles the situation has been compared with the possible evolution of Spain over the next decade, where the anti-immigration discourse is gaining ground.
The startling figure: according to internal reports, more than 40% of small businesses in Johannesburg are run by foreigners. The paradox of wanting to expel those who sustain the informal economy reflects a crisis of confidence that no ultimatum will solve.
Last weekend, thousands of South Africans took to the streets to demand the expulsion of immigrants, after racist groups issued an ultimatum. The mobilization, which spread across several cities, is the culmination of weeks of assaults and threats against foreigners, who are blamed for unemployment, crime and the collapse of public services.
South Africa's economy, with an unemployment rate above 30%, is the breeding ground for this outbreak. Immigrants, mainly from neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe or Mozambique, have become the scapegoat for a crisis with deeper roots: extreme inequality, corruption and the failure of development policies. The ultimatum, issued by far-right organizations, has found an echo among a desperate population, but experts point out that without immigration sectors such as mining or agriculture would be severely hit.
Curiously, the debate has crossed borders: in sympathetic circles the situation has been compared with the possible evolution of Spain over the next decade, where the anti-immigration discourse is gaining ground.
The startling figure: according to internal reports, more than 40% of small businesses in Johannesburg are run by foreigners. The paradox of wanting to expel those who sustain the informal economy reflects a crisis of confidence that no ultimatum will solve.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (12 replies).
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