Widespread Departures and Personal Costs
In recent months, South Africa has witnessed a significant exodus of foreign nationals, with tens of thousands leaving the country. This trend is fueled by escalating anti-migrant protests and a perceived increase in hostility towards non-citizens. The situation has not only caused immense personal upheaval for individuals and families but has also generated considerable diplomatic friction between South Africa and other African countries.
One such individual is Richard Itoro, a 47-year-old Nigerian businessman. Earlier this year, driven by concerns for his safety amidst intensifying anti-migrant demonstrations, Itoro made the difficult decision to leave his established life in Johannesburg. He departed South Africa in June on a voluntary repatriation flight to Nigeria, leaving behind his South African wife and their twin children. Itoro had spent over 15 years in South Africa, building a successful car dealership, purchasing a home, and establishing a family. All of this, he recounts, is now gone for him.
The pressure on Itoro and his family became unbearable. He describes how his wife faced intimidation from neighbors who questioned her marriage to a Nigerian and suggested she leave the country with him. Despite having no prior conflicts with anyone, Itoro felt that relocating to Nigeria and starting afresh was preferable to living in constant fear and harassment. However, his attempts to have his wife and children accompany him were unsuccessful, as the Nigerian high commission reportedly did not permit them to travel together. He describes the departure as a cinematic moment, boarding a final flight out of a besieged city, wishing he could have pleaded with embassy officials to allow his family to join him.
The Argument of Legality and South Africa's Stance
A central point of contention in the ongoing discourse is the legal status of foreign nationals. Anti-migrant groups and some government officials in South Africa, such as Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, assert that their protests are primarily directed at undocumented foreigners. McKenzie, a leader in one of the coalition government parties, has stated that while South Africa welcomes African brothers, they must enter the country legitimately and with proper documentation.
However, Itoro's experience contradicts this narrative. He presented documentation to the BBC, asserting his legal right to reside in South Africa, yet he still faced hostility. Nigerian authorities corroborate this, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye stating that numerous Nigerians with legitimate papers have been subjected to attacks. This discrepancy underscores the complexity of the situation and suggests that the issue extends beyond merely legal status.
The heightened tensions were further exacerbated by the recent death of a Nigerian national during a police arrest for suspected drug offenses, an incident currently under investigation by an independent body. South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola acknowledged that the country addresses those who take the law into their own hands but also emphasized President Cyril Ramaphosa's firm stance on South Africa's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws.
Ghanaian Experience and Regional Fallout
South Africa's international reputation has suffered significantly due to the circulating images and videos depicting anti-migrant incidents. While some social media content has been misattributed, genuine cases have emerged, sparking widespread concern. One such case involves Emmanuel Asamoah, a 37-year-old Ghanaian hairstylist who moved to South Africa in 2023 seeking opportunities. He had established a life in Soweto, near Johannesburg, and envisioned a future there.
However, three months prior to his return to Ghana in May, Asamoah was confronted by a group of South Africans who demanded his departure. This encounter was captured on video, showing a woman telling Asamoah and others that they were no longer wanted and should return to their own countries to fix them. Asamoah recounted the terrifying experience to the BBC, detailing how he was pushed, harassed, and accused of taking jobs and girlfriends from South Africans. He insists that he was legally in South Africa, possessing a valid passport stamp, and even offered to go to the police station to verify his status.
South Africa's high unemployment rate, exceeding 30%, is frequently cited as a major contributing factor to the anti-migrant sentiment. Minister McKenzie echoed this, stating that no one can feed another's children while their own are starving, and emphasizing the need to prioritize jobs for South Africans. However, Asamoah's return to Ghana has unexpectedly led to a fresh start. With support from a Ghanaian businessman, he has established a cement business, embodying the sentiment of 'fixing his country.'
Despite this individual initiative, the Ghanaian government remains critical of the treatment of its citizens in South Africa. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed his view that such actions contradict the spirit of continental solidarity and disregard the historical support African countries provided during the anti-apartheid struggle. He questioned whether such methods align with Pan-Africanism, African integration, and free movement, even in the face of immigration challenges.
Back in Lagos, Richard Itoro continues to yearn for his family, maintaining daily contact with his wife and holding onto the hope that she will soon join him. He describes the experience as heartbreaking, feeling as though he has lost everything, but remains optimistic for a future reunion.