President Cyril Ramaphosa has underscored that South Africa’s destiny is inseparably linked to that of the wider African continent, as he addressed mounting concerns over migration pressures and rising social tensions. His remarks come against the backdrop of xenophobic attacks and growing anti-immigrant sentiment in parts of the country, where foreign nationals have increasingly faced hostility tied to economic hardship and social strain.
In his national address, President Ramaphosa emphasised that migration is a continental challenge requiring collective solutions rather than fragmented national responses. He cautioned that enforcement measures alone cannot resolve the issue, insisting that deeper structural problems must be confronted to achieve lasting stability.
“South Africa’s future is inseparable from the future of our African continent. Migration pressures cannot be addressed through enforcement measures alone. They require peace where there is conflict, economic growth where there is stagnation and opportunity where there is poverty,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that South Africa will continue to work with regional and continental partners to manage migration in a coordinated and humane manner. He noted that platforms such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union will be key in finding long-term solutions to migration-related challenges.
His remarks come as South Africa continues to confront debates over migration management, social tensions and public backlash over reported incidents of xenophobia in the country.
Source: Juliana Odame Asare
