With her infant nestled against her and carrying only the clothes she wore, Glenda Banda crossed back into Zambia as anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa intensified.
South Africa had been her home for ten years—a place where she found employment, raised her family, and envisioned a prosperous future. Within days, however, everything she had built was stripped away.
“I returned with just the clothes on my back. I had no other garments to change into,” Banda told DW, recounting how local authorities intervened. “The mayor sent young men to my home to pressure the landlord into eviction. He was forced to eject us, sealing our belongings outside and locking the door. We fled, leaving everything behind.”
Banda is one of over 100 Zambians who returned home after violent anti-migrant demonstrations demanding the expulsion of foreign residents.
Losing Their Lives and Livelihoods
Bernadette Mwelwa’s story mirrors Banda’s. After more than two decades in South Africa, she returned to Zambia, having lost not only her livelihood but also the life she had constructed there.
“Even as a refugee or asylum seeker, foreigners faced exclusion,” Mwelwa explained. “I can’t return now—I’ve lost so much. The mayor handed over the keys to my beauty salon. I left my Congolese husband to manage our supermarket, which was looted and destroyed.”
South Africa sees nationwide protests over migrants
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Concerns over assaults on foreigners have been raised by Nigeria, Mozambique, and Ghana. Nigeria condemned the deaths of two of its nationals, warning that foreigners were being “unduly targeted” amid protests. South Africa’s police oversight body launched an investigation.
Mozambique reported five citizen fatalities linked to xenophobic attacks following a banned protest march in Mossel Bay in May. The South African government disputed this, stating only two Mozambicans died post-march, without confirming anti-migrant motives. Ghana alleged one citizen was killed during demonstrations but faced pushback from South Africa, which accused the nation of spreading misinformation.
Diplomatic Crisis Escalates
While many migrants remain in South Africa, thousands have fled. African governments—including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique—have arranged voluntary repatriation flights and buses for their citizens.
Root Causes of Tension
South Africa has endured periodic xenophobic violence since 2008, often triggered by economic hardship and service delivery failures. Foreigners are frequently accused of job theft or criminal activity, though researchers argue such violence reflects systemic governance and inequality issues.
“The priority for Zambians is safety and returning home,” stated Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango, who assured diplomatic support for affected citizens.
Xenophobia in South Africa: Who’s really paying the price?
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected notions of inherent xenophobia, framing migration as a systemic challenge requiring collaborative governance solutions.
“South Africans are not xenophobic,” Ramaphosa asserted during a national address. “They are Africans seeking peaceful coexistence. Our leadership must resolve the complexities migration presents.”
Urgent Calls for De-escalation
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) emphasized immediate action to prevent further violence, underscoring the need for social cohesion and protection for vulnerable populations.
“We are deeply concerned and ready to assist the government in mitigating risks,” said IOM’s Yitna Getachew at a Johannesburg symposium. “We urgently call for tension de-escalation and public calm.”
Reuniting with family may offer safety, but psychological recovery remains elusive for many survivors. Psychologist Lisa Thompson-Smeddle noted that returning home doesn’t inherently resolve trauma, grief, or anxiety exacerbated by displacement and violence.
Rebuilding Under Uncertainty
Policy expert Loren Landau argues that addressing xenophobia requires tackling broader issues: unemployment, poor governance, and inequality rather than scapegoating migrants.
For Banda and Mwelwa, such academic discourse feels distant amid their immediate struggles. They’ve found safety in Zambia, yet rebuilding livelihoods, communities, and emotional resilience remains an arduous journey forward.
South Africa migrant exodus raises fears of xenophobia
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Edited by: Keith Walker
