McKenzie: South Africans Not Xenophobic, African Countries Must Take Responsibility For Own Citizens

South Africans are not inherently hostile to foreigners, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said on Monday as he defended the country against accusations of xenophobia.

Addressing Africa Day celebrations at Moruleng Stadium in the North West, McKenzie said there could be no African unity unless countries took responsibility for their own citizens.

He further called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.

“South Africans are not xenophobic. There is a false allegation that South Africans are xenophobic… There can be no African unity if the leaders send their people to come and take the jobs of our young people. African leaders must look after their own people first,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie said countries in Europe and China enforce passport and visa regulations, arguing that South Africa should do the same to address its current challenges.

However, Build One South Africa leader and MP Mmusi Maimane struck a different tone.

Speaking at a separate event at Constitution Hill, Maimane argued that the anti-migrant movements currently emerging in South Africa lacked a moral compass.

“Today, we are witnessing movements without moral clarity, without ideological grounding, and without any constructive vision for our people. These are nefarious movements that organise themselves not around building Africa, but around persecuting fellow Africans,” said Maimane.

Since the start of the year, there has been a noticeable rise in anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.

Some South Africans blame foreign nationals, particularly those working in informal trading, trucking, construction and retail, for taking jobs or undercutting wages.

In townships and informal settlements, competition for housing, clinics, schools and basic services is intense. Foreign nationals are sometimes seen as adding pressure to already strained resources.

More: IOL