WATCH | ‘South Africans are Africans’: Ramaphosa defends unity amid migration protests

Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has told Kenyan President William Ruto during his state visit to South Africa that recent protests against illegal immigration should not be interpreted as xenophobia, saying South Africans are not hostile to other Africans.

Speaking at the official welcome ceremony, Ramaphosa rejected claims that the country is xenophobic, stressing: “South Africans are not xenophobic. South Africans are Africans.”

#SAKenya Ramaphosa: There will be envoys going to African countries and around the world to address this migration issue we are facing. We will also go and learn how they have dealt with this issue of migration as it’s not only a South African problem. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/mUMeyDrFwy

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) June 4, 2026

He added that while citizens want peaceful coexistence with other Africans, government must still address challenges linked to migration and undocumented movement.

Ramaphosa also said South Africa is actively working on migration-related issues and called for closer cooperation with Kenya to build a more integrated and stable continent.

Ruto, who is on a three-day state visit during which four bilateral agreements are expected to be signed to boost trade and tourism, said migration pressures are driven by uneven economic development across Africa.

Ramaphosa: We also addressed the issue of Migration facing South Africa which is not unique to us but an issue faced by many countries. I expressed to President Ruto that South Africans are not Xenophobic. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/wGkbGcMo5H

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) June 4, 2026

He argued: “The answer to this is to make sure that services and opportunities exist everywhere on our continent.”

He further said stronger African Union cooperation is needed to reduce competition for resources and expand opportunities across member states.