Ramaphosa: South Africans ‘not xenophobic’ as migration protests escalate

President Cyril RamaphosaSouth Africans are not xenophobic and to call for peaceful coexistence as anti-illegal immigrant protests around the country intensify.

Where and when

Ramaphosa hosted Ruto at the Union Buildings in Tshwane during the Kenyan president’s state visit on Thursday.

Escalating protests and police intervention

In recent weeks, anti-illegal immigrant protests across several provinces in South Africa have escalated to the point of requiring police intervention after demonstrators began openly threatening the safety of foreign nationals and their property.

One organisation involved, March and March, has set a deadline of 30 June for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

Ramaphosa’s message

During his meeting with Ruto, Ramaphosa said South Africa is working to address the problems that are causing tensions between locals and migrants.

“South Africans are not xenophobic. South Africans are Africans; they want to live with other Africans peacefully, and our people are calling on us as leaders to resolve the many challenges that are brought to bear by the challenge of migration, and I did say that in South Africa, we are addressing this matter.”

Kenya–South Africa ties

Ramaphosa described Kenya as one of South Africa’s most important strategic partners in East Africa, and welcomed the signing of new Memoranda of Understanding to expand cooperation between the two countries.

He praised Kenya as a gateway to East Africa and a leading voice on peace, security and development, and noted that Kenya remains South Africa’s largest trading partner in East Africa.

Ruto said the African Continental Free Trade Agreement should act as a catalyst for inclusive growth, industrialisation and job creation.

Regional cooperation

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the African Union. Ramaphosa said the visit had laid a firm foundation for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, industrialisation, infrastructure development, skills development and regional integration.