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Xenophobia in South Africa is not the cause of the country’s economic problems, but rather a symptom of structural challenges such as unemployment, poverty, inequality and poor service delivery.
This is according to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD), which warns that foreigners are increasingly being used as scapegoats for problems which, according to the organization, actually have their origins in decades of corruption and weak state capacity.
According to the group, communities’ frustration with overcrowded clinics, poor schools and limited economic opportunities is wrongly directed at foreigners, while the real causes of these challenges are not addressed.
“Xenophobia is scapegoat politics, not a solution,” says Mervyn Abrahams, coordinator of the PMBEJD.
The organization further warns that anti-immigrant campaigns can be particularly dangerous during election times because political actors can fuel the public’s economic frustration by blaming foreigners for local problems.
According to the group, deportations, police action and stricter border control will not solve South Africa’s unemployment and poverty crisis. According to the PMBEJD, the problem is an economy that does not create enough jobs and a state that fails to provide basic services.
Foreigners can also play an important role in the economy. They form only a small part of the population, actively participate in the informal economy and often possess entrepreneurial skills that can support economic growth.
“The focus should rather be on the protection of labor rights and the prevention of exploitation,” says Abrahams.
The organization further warns that South Africa cannot turn its back on the rest of Africa if the country wants to promote economic growth.
According to his figures, South Africa’s exports to the rest of Africa amount to between R450 billion and R500 billion per year, which represents more than a fifth of the country’s total exports. This trade supports an estimated 957,000 jobs in South Africa, including more than 250,000 formal jobs linked to manufacturing, agriculture and production for African markets.
The group says that exports to other African countries mainly consist of manufactured products, agricultural goods and services, which support a large workforce in South Africa.
Protesters in Ekurhuleni rally against immigrants. (Photo: Emmanuel Croset/AFP)
The group warns that continued xenophobic violence and hostility could harm the country’s diplomatic relations, trade ties and future economic growth.
“The economic future of South Africa is linked to the economic future of Africa. A political culture of exclusion will isolate the country, while a political culture of cooperation can promote shared prosperity,” says Abrahams.
The organization calls on the government, political parties, the business world and civil society organizations to reject xenophobia and instead focus on job creation, better service delivery, the fight against corruption, the protection of labor rights and the improvement of immigration and documentation systems.
“Foreigners are not the cause of the economic crisis. The real threat to jobs, public services and social stability lies in underinvestment in basic services and a political culture that uses vulnerable people as scapegoats rather than solving the country’s problems.”