A tweet by South African politician and Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has sparked fresh concerns about rising xenophobia in the country. In the widely shared post, McKenzie accused undocumented foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans, of celebrating South Africa’s struggles. He also warned that their “time is running out”—a statement critics have called dangerously inflammatory.
The backlash was immediate. Human rights groups, political analysts, and civil society organizations criticized the remarks, warning that such rhetoric from public figures could incite violence and further divide the nation. The controversy comes at a tense time, as public frustration grows over economic instability, high unemployment, and strained public services.
South Africa has faced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence, notably in 2008 and 2019, when foreign-owned businesses were targeted and migrants were attacked or killed. Many victims were from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Nigeria, where economic and political crises have forced people to seek refuge in South Africa.
Whenever South Africa is faced with a tragedy or bad news, the people celebrating are always these illegal foreigners particularly Zimbabweans. Your time in SA is running out fast. You hate us whilst staying illegally in our country.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) February 3, 2025
Migrants are often blamed for taking jobs and overwhelming social services, but experts say this ignores deeper systemic issues. “Xenophobia is a distraction from failed economic policies, corruption, and poor governance,” said Professor Naledi Sibanda, a sociologist at the University of Cape Town.
While McKenzie’s supporters argue his tweet reflects public frustration over illegal immigration, critics see it as a populist tactic to exploit fear for political gain. “Blaming outsiders for internal problems is a dangerous strategy,” said political analyst Dr. Sipho Mahlangu.
The government, already under pressure to strengthen border controls and reform immigration policies, now faces renewed criticism. Despite official efforts to promote tolerance, there remains a gap between policy and reality.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, stress the need to balance security concerns with protecting vulnerable groups. “Immigration challenges can be addressed without demonizing migrants or encouraging violence,” Amnesty stated recently.
As tensions rise, South Africa stands at a critical juncture. McKenzie’s tweet may have intensified the debate, but the root causes run much deeper. Whether the country moves toward meaningful reform or deeper division depends on leaders choosing unity over division.
The path forward is clear: address socioeconomic challenges with empathy and policy solutions, or let fear and blame shape the future.
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