Zim GBC News | South African Correspondent
JOHANNESBURG — Former South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has issued a stern warning against the rising tide of xenophobia in the country, asserting that foreign nationals are being unfairly used as scapegoats to mask the government’s failure to address critical socio-economic issues.
Speaking at a dialogue on migration and development in Pretoria, Dr Pandor cautioned that blaming migrants for challenges such as unemployment, crime, and poor service delivery distracts citizens from the real structural failures that plague the nation.
“When governments struggle to deal with issues such as rising unemployment, weak economic growth, poverty, crime, and failing service delivery, migrants often become the easiest targets,” Dr Pandor said.
“Blaming people from other countries may temporarily calm public anger, but it does not solve the structural problems facing the nation.”
South Africa currently faces one of the highest unemployment rates globally, with millions of young people jobless. Widespread electricity shortages, failing municipalities, and sluggish economic growth have compounded the hardships faced by ordinary citizens, creating fertile ground for anti-immigrant sentiment.
Pandor emphasized that migrants are not the cause of the country’s economic crisis and warned against treating them as such. She highlighted the positive contributions made by foreign nationals, particularly from other African countries, to local economies.
“Many foreign nationals contribute to the economy by opening small businesses, providing services in local communities, and creating jobs for others. Some also bring valuable skills that support sectors of the economy that need workers,” she explained.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension over immigration in South Africa. Several groups and political movements have intensified calls for stricter border controls and a crackdown on undocumented migrants, arguing that foreigners place undue pressure on limited resources and job opportunities.
However, analysts caution that this narrow focus diverts attention from the deeper issues undermining the country’s progress.
“Focusing solely on migrants risks distracting the public from deeper governance failures,” Pandor warned.
“Problems such as corruption, poor policy decisions, lack of industrial growth, and failing local government systems are major contributors to unemployment and economic hardship.”
The former minister stressed that turning migrants into scapegoats could reignite xenophobic violence and deepen social divisions in a nation historically committed to African unity and solidarity. She called for a balanced migration approach that includes proper border management, fair immigration policies, and concrete steps to address the country’s economic malaise.
“South Africa’s problems cannot be solved by blaming migrants,” she said.
“Real solutions require leadership, accountability, and policies that create jobs, grow the economy, and improve service delivery for everyone living in the country.”
Follow Zim GBC News for more updates:
· X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
· Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
· TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
· Facebook: Zim GBC News
· YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
For in-depth coverage, visit our website:
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2026