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Source: CNBC Africa |
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Few facts about South Africa |
South Africa sits at the southern tip of Africa. It has a long coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans. It shares borders with: |
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South Africa has a long and complex history. It still shapes its domestic and foreign policy. The region was inhabited long before European settlements began. The Dutch were the first ones to establish settlements in the 17th century. There were already conflicts with locals. Britain then started to occupy parts of the region in the late 18th . They expanded their control over the 19th century. This led to conflicts with both the Dutch and locals. South Africa had to wait until the 20th century for statehood. |
But the society was very unequal. The apartheid was introduced. This was racial segregation. It denied the Black majority many rights and opportunities. After decades of resistance and global pressure, it ended in 1994. |
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Social and economic situation |
Since the apartheid ended, South Africa has become one of Africa’s leading economies and an influential regional power. It is home to one of the continent’s most diversified production bases. Key sectors include: |
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It is also a leading transport and logistics hub and hosts some of the largest firms in Africa. |
But the state still faces big challenges. They include: |
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This situation has led to social tensions. These tensions are also worsened by the weak state capacities. |
The state’s population is estimated at 63 million people. Up to 5% of the population are foreigners, mostly coming from other African states such as: |
Zimbabwe Mozambique Malawi Nigeria Ethiopia Lesotho
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This situation makes migrants a convenient scapegoat. There have been many episodes of violence against them. |
What’s going on? |
Anti-migrants’ groups were formed. They say migrants take jobs, occupy public housing, overburden healthcare services, and commit crimes. These claims have also been used by some political parties or influential public figures. |
But these groups do more than just protest. They hunt down migrants. They make door-to-door searches. They remove migrants from their homes and hand them over to the police. They deny migrants access to public healthcare and education. Plus, they scared them by giving a deadline for them to leave the state. While there has not been a huge explosion of violence when the deadline was reached, these groups led tens of thousands of migrants to flee the state or seek repatriation. |
But these anti-migrant protests are nothing new. They have been building for years now. Each year, incidents are recorded. Plus, less than a decade ago, South Africa has seen riots on that matter. |
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Source: Reuters |
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2008 riots |
These riots were the most severe outbreak of anti-migrants’ violence. Violence began north of Johannesburg. But it rapidly spread across the state. Groups attacked migrants by beating people in the streets, burning homes and businesses, looting foreign-owned shops, and forcing migrants to flee. |
The violence lasted around three weeks. Official figures reported over 60 people killed. Hundreds were injured and about 100 thousand people were displaced. |
As seen, these riots were not an isolated event. Similar outbreaks happened over the years until today. |
What are the consequences? |
Economic. Many businesses rely on migrants. The most touched sectors are: |
Farming Construction Transport Delivery services Informal retail
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In many underserved areas, migrants own informal shops. They provide cheap goods and employ locals. The massive departures could produce labor shortages and disrupt local commerce. Plus, the instability it creates could worry investors. |
Human rights. The safety of migrants and refugees is not guaranteed. They are also denied from accessing healthcare and education. This led to worries about human rights. But it also weakens the rule of law and constitutional rights in South Africa. Displaced people are also either relocated in emergency camps or waiting to be repatriated in poor conditions. |
Harmed diplomatic image. South Africa presents itself as a defender of Pan-Africanism and African cooperation. But these attacks on African citizens from neighboring states hurt its credibility. It also creates tensions with the states whose citizens are targeted. This reduced South Africa’s influence as a regional leader. It also increases regional instability. |
Decoding geopolitics isn’t a job. It’s survival. |
Joy |
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