The story of South Africa in Africa is not one of hostility. It is a story of sacrifice, partnership, investment, and an enduring commitment to a better Africa for all.
Recent statements and media narratives emerging from parts of West Africa, particularly in relation to concerns raised in sections of Nigeria and Ghana, have portrayed South Africa as a country increasingly defined by xenophobia or ‘Afrophobia’. These claims, based as they are, in the context of isolated incidents of violence and heightened migration tensions, fail to reflect the broader reality of South Africa’s relationship with the rest of the continent.
South Africa cannot accept the unfair characterisation of an entire nation and its people as hostile to fellow Africans. Such a narrative ignores decades of solidarity, investment, peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and economic integration that South Africa has championed across Africa. It also overlooks the fact that South Africa remains one of the continent’s largest destinations for African migrants, entrepreneurs, students, investors, and professionals.
Therefore, media and public commentary narratives that routinely label South Africa as xenophobic without sufficient context, while often overlooking the country’s efforts to maintain lawful migration, social cohesion, and humanitarian support are deeply concerning. The continent and the world at large deserves a more balanced reporting and commentary that recognises both migration pressures and South Africa’s commitment to African solidarity.
A history built on African solidarity
The freedom enjoyed by South Africans today was not won by South Africa and its liberation movement alone. During the struggle against apartheid, many countries across the continent provided sanctuary, training facilities, diplomatic support, and financial assistance to the liberation movement.
Since 1994, South Africa’s foreign policy has been guided by the principles of Ubuntu, Pan-Africanism, and the African Renaissance. These principles have informed its efforts to contribute to peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development throughout Africa.
Through the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF), South Africa has supported initiatives aimed at promoting democracy, conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, socio-economic development, and capacity-building across African states. The ARF’s mandate explicitly includes supporting conflict prevention, socio-economic development, humanitarian assistance, and cooperation among African countries.
South Africa’s record in peacekeeping and conflict resolution
Few African countries have invested as significantly in African peace and security as South Africa.
Since 1999, South Africa has participated in peacekeeping and peace support missions in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan, Comoros, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic.
South Africa has deployed military personnel, mediators, election observers, and reconstruction experts to help stabilise countries emerging from conflict.
South African soldiers have served under both African Union and United Nations mandates, often at significant cost and sacrifice. South African peacekeepers have lost their lives in missions aimed at protecting African civilians and preserving regional stability. South Africa’s participation in peace missions has consistently been framed as part of its commitment to African peace, security, and development.
South Africa also played pivotal mediation roles in Burundi, South Sudan, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and the DRC, helping facilitate peace agreements, constitutional processes, and democratic transitions.
South Africa’s economic footprint across Africa
Any fair assessment of South Africa’s role on the continent must consider its enormous contribution to African economic development. South African businesses are among the largest investors in Africa. Companies such as MTN, MultiChoice, Standard Bank, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Absa, Sanlam, Old Mutual, Vodacom, and others operate across dozens of African countries, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributing billions of dollars to local economies through taxes, infrastructure development, and skills transfer.
Nigeria itself hosts one of the largest South African investment footprints on the continent. MTN Nigeria alone has connected millions of people to telecommunications services while employing thousands of Nigerians directly and indirectly. Similar investments exist in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and several other countries.
South African banks have expanded financial inclusion across the continent. Retail chains have established supply chains that support local farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses.
South African mining, telecommunications, energy, and financial-services firms have become major contributors to economic growth in many African economies. The reality is simple: South Africa’s prosperity is deeply intertwined with Africa’s prosperity.
A country that continues to welcome Africa
Despite recent migration-related tensions, South Africa continues to host millions of foreign nationals, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from across Africa.
Government has repeatedly emphasised that foreign nationals who enter and reside in South Africa lawfully are welcome and contribute positively to the country’s social and economic development. Efforts to strengthen immigration management are aimed at enforcing the law and protecting the integrity of the immigration system–not targeting Africans.
Like every sovereign nation, South Africa has the right and responsibility to manage its borders, regulate migration, and address irregular migration. These functions are not evidence of xenophobia. They are standard responsibilities of a democratic state.
Rejecting division, choosing partnership
The choice facing Africa today is clear. We can allow misinformation, stereotypes, and political opportunism to divide Africans from one another. Or we can recommit ourselves to the ideals of African unity that inspired the founders of the Organisation of African Unity and later the African Union. The South Africa that has invested in African economies, mediated peace agreements, deployed peacekeepers, funded development initiatives, trained officials, supported democratic transitions, and opened its economy to African businesses is not an Afrophobic nation.
South Africa’s future lies in Africa. Its prosperity lies in Africa. Its destiny lies in Africa.
Rather than trading accusations across borders, African nations should deepen cooperation on migration management, economic development, regional integration, and social cohesion. The continent’s challenges require solidarity, not division; partnership, not prejudice.
The story of South Africa in Africa is not one of hostility. It is a story of sacrifice, partnership, investment, and an enduring commitment to a better Africa for all.
The Government of the Republic of South Africa.
This article was first published in the Sunday Times and is reproduced with permission.