South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm and national unity following a recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.
The violence, which has reportedly led to the deaths of at least two Nigerians alongside attacks on migrants from countries such as Ghana and Zimbabwe, has also resulted in looting of businesses and growing fear among foreign communities, including students.
Speaking after a meeting with Mozambique’s president, Ramaphosa condemned the attacks and urged South Africans to remember the support they received from other African nations during the anti-apartheid struggle. He stressed that South Africans are not inherently hostile toward foreigners and called for cooperation among African countries to address the root causes of tension.
While appealing for tolerance and peaceful coexistence, he also emphasized the importance of immigration compliance, urging foreign nationals to ensure they have valid documentation. He added that employers must respect labour laws by avoiding the employment of undocumented migrants.
Ramaphosa said the situation requires joint efforts across affected countries, noting that economic hardship should not lead to hostility against foreigners, but rather to more coordinated solutions and mutual understanding.
