Xenophobia
Xenophobia is the fear, prejudice or hostility directed towards people perceived as foreign or from outside one's own community, nation or cultural group. It manifests in discriminatory attitudes, exclusionary practices and, in severe cases, violence against individuals or groups identified as outsiders based on nationality, ethnicity, language or other markers of difference. The phenomenon is distinct from racism, though the two often intersect, as xenophobia focuses primarily on perceived foreignness rather than race alone. In economic contexts, xenophobic sentiment frequently intensifies during periods of resource scarcity, high unemployment or social instability, when foreign nationals may be scapegoated for domestic challenges. South Africa has experienced recurring waves of xenophobic violence, particularly targeting migrants from other African countries, with notable outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 resulting in deaths, displacement and destruction of property. The attacks have typically concentrated in urban informal settlements and townships, where competition for jobs, housing and services is most acute. Xenophobia carries significant economic costs, damaging investor confidence, disrupting cross-border trade, harming regional integration efforts and undermining the contributions that migrant workers and entrepreneurs make to host economies. Governments, civil society organisations and international bodies work to address xenophobia through public education, legal protections for foreign nationals, community dialogue programmes and enforcement measures against hate crimes. The issue remains a persistent challenge in many countries worldwide, requiring sustained policy attention to promote social cohesion and protect vulnerable migrant populations.
Xenophobia Updates
Have South Africans always been hostile to migrants? Historians map a chequered history
16th September 2026 Anti-immigrant violence began to sweep across South Africa once again in March 2026. Over the following months an estimated 56 000 Malawians and... →
Nigeria suspends official visits to SA over xenophobic attacks 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 11th September 2026 The Nigerian National Assembly has officially suspended all official visits to South Africa and has initiated a complete boycott of South... →
What the BRICS Summit Will Test About South Africa’s Influence
By: South African Institute of International Affairs 11th September 2026 Ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, Gustavo de Carvalho shares five insights into how South Africa builds diplomatic influence and the limits of... →
Daily Podcast – September 04, 2026
4th September 2026 September 04, 2026. For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is Polity’s daily podcast →
ANC Veterans League condemns Durban xenophobic attacks, demands prosecutions
By: Thabi Shomolekae 4th September 2026 The ANC Veterans League has strongly condemned recent violent clashes in Durban, calling for immediate, thorough investigations and prosecutions... →
SA can’t tackle migration while ignoring Zimbabwe’s democratic backsliding
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 31st August 2026 South Africa and SADC’s reluctance to remedy misgovernance in their neighbourhood contributes to migration, sparking xenophobia and causing... →
Pay the Xenofobie 5 Million Rands
26th August 2026 In the wine cellar turned war room of a fake vineyard outside Pretoria, the Afrikaner woman known as Die Maker, dressed in milk white linen,... →
Parly champions coordinated regional strategy for migration governance, expansion of legislative dialogue
By: Thabi Shomolekae 20th August 2026 Parliament must move beyond reactive measures and lead the charge in building robust governance systems, driving evidence-based policies, and... →
Daily Podcast – August 14, 2026
By: Halima Frost 14th August 2026 Ramaphosa calls for regional action on xenophobia; South Africa's top court blocks Shell's Wild Coast exploration plans; And, Chad's president... →
SADC Summit: Ramaphosa calls for regional action on xenophobia, GBV
By: Thabi Shomolekae 14th August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday delivered a powerful vision for the renewal of Southern Africa, calling for urgent regional action on... →
