South African minister laments adverse effects of xenophobia

The South African government is starting to express concern over the effects of xenophobic remarks made by some individuals, which are causing businesses owned by its citizens abroad to lose income.

The government, via Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, explained that the recent mass evacuation in the country was aimed at illegal African immigrants and was not driven by xenophobia.

She said this during an interview with SABC on Sunday, stressing that the country was facing backlash and that some of its artistes were having their shows cancelled across the continent.

“We can’t lie about the backlash, and that is why part of the work that we are doing as government, as well through DECO, is engagement with businesses abroad, South African companies abroad.

“Minister Alamola has met with them, and we are providing services, support services and consular services for those businesses on the continent and outside the continent,” she said.

Kubayi added that the majority of South African artistes perform on the continent, “and many of them are seeing their gigs being cancelled”.

“One artiste did reach out to me to say all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income lost by a South African,” the minister stated. “That is why let’s deal with the issue of illegal immigrants. Those you have within your borders legally, please protect them as you would protect South Africans.”

Recall that on June 11, South Africa captain Ronwen Williams expressed disappointment at what he described as a lack of support from fellow African nations following Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match.

The result leaves South Africa with work to do in Group A as they pursue a place in the knockout rounds.

Speaking after the match, Williams admitted he was surprised by the volume of African football fans who appeared to back Mexico rather than an African representative on the global stage, and called for greater unity among Africans during major tournaments.

“Africans have always supported other African countries in every World Cup tournament, but I can’t figure out why our own case is different,” Williams said. “Many Africans supported Mexico, not us, the South Africans. We almost shed tears, but it’s truly sad.”

Recently, the waves of xenophobic attacks in South Africa have caused Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and other African countries to evacuate their citizens from the country.