South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned that migration pressures on the country cannot be addressed through enforcement measures alone, as the country continues to grapple with xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Foreign nationals have in recent times faced hostility amid economic hardship and rising social tensions, with authorities repeatedly calling for calm and tolerance.
Addressing the nation on Sunday, June 7, President Ramaphosa stressed that migration is not a challenge South Africa can manage in isolation.
“South Africa cannot address migration challenges alone,” he said.
He warned that relying solely on enforcement measures would not resolve the deeper forces driving migration into the country.
“Migration pressures cannot be addressed through enforcement measures alone. They require peace where there is conflict, economic growth where there is stagnation and opportunity where there is poverty,” he said.
He added that South Africa’s future is closely tied to the wider African continent, stressing the need for cooperation with regional and continental partners.
Ramaphosa further noted that platforms such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and bilateral engagements will be central to finding long-term solutions to migration pressures.
His remarks come as South Africa continues to confront debates over migration management, social tensions and public backlash over reported incidents of xenophobia in the country.
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