Thousands of South Africans protest against illegal immigration

South Africa: illegal immigration ignites the tinderbox of xenophobia

What happens when a country with a youth unemployment rate of around 60% receives waves of undocumented migrants? In South Africa, the answer has been mass protests, burned-down shops and threats of 'hunts' against foreigners. Thousands of South Africans, according to reports from The Guardian and local media, have taken to the streets in several cities, accusing undocumented immigrants of worsening working conditions, driving up crime and overwhelming public services.

The trigger: pressure that will not be negotiated

The protests, which began spontaneously, have escalated into episodes of violence: shops owned by Nigerians and Mozambicans have been set on fire, and groups of citizens armed with sticks and machetes have warned they will 'hunt down' immigrants unless they leave the country. The main targets are those from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Nigeria, who are blamed for falling wages in sectors such as construction and for the strain on hospitals and schools. The local term 'amakwerekwere' is used to refer to the illegal immigrant, and its mere mention condenses decades of resentment.

The economic argument: falling wages and overstretched services

Behind the anger lies a crude but widespread economic logic. The mass arrival of workers willing to accept lower pay – according to the protesters – drives down the wages of South Africa's most vulnerable, especially in the informal economy. At the same time, public services, already poor due to mismanagement and lack of investment, are struggling under growing demand. Housing is another battleground: immigrants are accused of pushing up rents. However, no official study presented in the debate precisely quantifies these impacts, leaving the discussion in the realm of perception.

The historical paradox: where does 'us' begin?

It is hard to ignore the historical irony. As some analyses point out, most of today's Black South Africans descend from peoples who migrated to the territory during British colonisation and the subsequent economic boom. The original inhabitants, the Khoisan, were displaced or assimilated by later waves of Zulus and Xhosas. A country built on successive waves of immigration now faces its own reflection. The uncomfortable question is whether the rejection of foreigners stems from genuine economic grievances or from a convenient scapegoat.

Under these conditions, the conflict shows no signs of being resolved. Meanwhile, in Europe the debate continues over whether immigration is a human right or a public order problem. In South Africa, the answer is already on the streets.