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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

South African minister laments xenophobia backlash affecting artists, businesses abroad

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South African Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi stated that recent evacuations targeted illegal African immigrants, not xenophobia, but acknowledged the country faces backlash.
  • The minister reported that South African artistes are experiencing cancelled shows and businesses abroad are losing income due to the negative perception.
  • She emphasized protecting legal immigrants within South Africa while addressing illegal immigration, contrasting this with a recent incident where a South African soccer captain felt unsupported by other African nations.

South Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has acknowledged the negative repercussions the country faces abroad due to perceptions of xenophobia. While clarifying that recent government actions targeted illegal African immigrants and were not driven by xenophobia, Kubayi admitted that South African artistes are seeing their shows canceled across the continent, and businesses owned by South Africans abroad are suffering income losses.

We can’t lie about the backlash, and that is why part of the work that we are doing as government, as well through DECO, is engagement with businesses abroad, South African companies abroad.

— Mmamoloko KubayiThe Minister of Justice explained the government's efforts to address the negative impact on South African businesses abroad.

"We can’t lie about the backlash, and that is why part of the work that we are doing as government, as well through DECO, is engagement with businesses abroad, South African companies abroad," Kubayi said in an interview with SABC. She added that Minister Alamola has met with these businesses, and the government is providing support and consular services.

Minister Alamola has met with them, and we are providing services, support services and consular services for those businesses on the continent and outside the continent.

— Mmamoloko KubayiThe Minister of Justice detailed the support being offered to South African businesses facing repercussions abroad.

Kubayi highlighted the impact on artists, stating, "One artiste did reach out to me to say all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income lost by a South African." She urged for a distinction between illegal immigrants and those residing legally, stating, "Those you have within your borders legally, please protect them as you would protect South Africans."

One artiste did reach out to me to say all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income lost by a South African.

— Mmamoloko KubayiThe Minister of Justice illustrated the economic impact on South African artists due to the backlash.

This situation comes after South Africa's captain, Ronwen Williams, expressed disappointment over a perceived lack of support from fellow African nations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Williams noted that many African football fans appeared to support Mexico over South Africa in a recent match, calling for greater unity among Africans during major tournaments.

Those you have within your borders legally, please protect them as you would protect South Africans.

— Mmamoloko KubayiThe Minister of Justice differentiated between legal and illegal immigrants while calling for protection of the former.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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