‘We love foreigners, but not illegal immigration’: McKenzie’s Africa Day remarks in Moruleng spark debate

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said on Africa Day that African unity depends on lawful migration and that South Africa must enforce its immigration laws, remarks that have prompted debate.

What he said in Moruleng

Speaking at Africa Day celebrations in Moruleng, North West, on Monday, McKenzie told the audience that African unity could not be achieved if governments failed to take responsibility for their citizens and allowed uncontrolled cross-border movement.

He rejected claims that South Africa is xenophobic, saying instead that the country faces consequences from undocumented migration that place pressure on jobs, housing, healthcare and other public services.

“We are not a xenophobic country. We love foreigners, but we hate it when they come here illegally.”

He added:

“There will be no African unity if governments do not take responsibility for their citizens. South Africa is not a refugee camp for Africa.”

Lawful migration and public trust

McKenzie said foreign nationals who enter South Africa legally and contribute skills are welcome, but argued that illegal migration undermines public trust and service delivery. He linked undocumented migration to unemployment and service delivery challenges, and said citizens’ hardships are often overlooked in the debate.

To illustrate his point about respect for immigration rules, McKenzie pointed to international examples, saying travellers respect laws abroad:

“When you go to Botswana, you stand in line and stamp your passport. When you go to China or Europe, there are laws. Why must ours not be respected?”

Leadership and the public mood

McKenzie criticised former president Thabo Mbeki, saying leadership should reflect public concerns rather than academic or elite perspectives. He called for discipline within individual countries as a foundation for continental cooperation, and said law enforcement must be applied consistently.

He reiterated that South Africa supports African unity, but framed that support as conditional on adherence to lawful migration:

“We want foreigners to come here the way we go to your countries.”

Key points from McKenzie’s remarks

• African unity requires governments to take responsibility for their citizens and regulate cross-border movement.
• South Africa should enforce immigration laws and is “not a refugee camp for Africa.”
• Legal foreign nationals who bring skills are welcome; illegal migration harms public services and trust.
• Leadership must reflect the lived concerns of ordinary citizens, McKenzie said, rather than elite perspectives.

Reporting note: The details in this article are drawn from coverage of McKenzie’s Africa Day remarks in Moruleng published by IOL.