The Nigerian High Commission has urged South African authorities to protect foreign nationals from being targeted during anti-immigrant marches, warning that continued violence could undermine African unity.
The commission said it was “gravely concerned” about the recent wave of violence-prone protests across several provinces.
‘Any life lost one too many’
“Recognising the fact that any life lost in such marches is one too many, we therefore urge the South African authorities to act decisively to ensure that no foreign national is unlawfully targeted and victimised.”
The remarks follow a series of demonstrations organised by anti-immigrant group March and March in different parts of the country.
South Africans ‘not inherently xenophobic’
The commission stressed that South Africans are not inherently xenophobic, saying most live peacefully with Nigerian and other African migrants.
“Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and workers contribute meaningfully to the South African economy every single day,” it said. “They pay their taxes diligently, create employment opportunities, innovate in key sectors, and actively participate in building the economy that benefits many nationals.”
It added that Nigerian entrepreneurs run formal businesses in cities and rural areas, create jobs and pay taxes.
“These contributions, from healthcare and education to technology, trade, and services, demonstrate how Nigerian professionals and entrepreneurs are partners in South Africa’s development, and not competitors or obstacles.”
African trade benefits
The commission added South Africa benefits hugely from trade with the rest of Africa, recording trade surpluses and repatriating billions in profits annually.
“We can either allow isolated violence and political opportunism to fracture our unity and reverse the gains of Pan-African solidarity, or we choose a path of shared responsibility.”
On undocumented migrants, the commission said the issue was partly caused by delays in processing permits and documentation, with many people becoming illegal after waiting months or years for their papers to be processed.
‘Just PR stunt’, says March and March leader
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma dismissed the Commission’s statement as a public relations stunt.
“I think this is just a PR statement. It’s not really tapping into what’s really happening on the ground,” she said. “We don’t expect Nigerians to tell the truth about Nigerians, so it’s no surprise that they’re responding in this manner.”
Ngobese-Zuma said Nigerians cannot speak about the realities of South Africans’ experiences with Nigerians.
“We watch what goes on in Sunnyside, Point Road, Hillbrow and all these other places that people are complaining about.”
“We don’t see that positive impact because the majority of Nigerians in South Africa are doing things that are wrong,” she said. “It’s time for Nigerians to be honest about themselves.”
- The Nigerian High Commission called on South African authorities to protect foreign nationals from violence during anti-immigrant protests, warning such violence threatens African unity.
- The commission highlighted the positive contributions of Nigerian professionals and entrepreneurs to South Africa’s economy and society.
- It emphasized that many undocumented migrants result from bureaucratic delays in processing permits, rather than intentional illegal immigration.
- The commission urged for shared responsibility to maintain Pan-African solidarity and economic cooperation, noting South Africa’s trade benefits with Africa.
- March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma dismissed the commission's statement as a PR stunt, accusing Nigerians of ignoring realities and wrongdoing on the ground.
