WATCH | ‘We must never trample African fellowship’ — Ramaphosa condemns xenophobia

Ramaphosa

Mangaung – President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his Freedom Day speech in Mangaung to condemn recent xenophobic incidents in South Africa.

He reminded citizens that African solidarity was crucial in sustaining the anti‑apartheid struggle and warned against allowing concerns over illegal immigration to fuel prejudice against fellow Africans.

“It cannot be, and it must never be, that we trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible,” Ramaphosa said.

“We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans.”

Ramaphosa stressed that while government is tackling illegal migration, corruption in the immigration system, and businesses employing undocumented workers, South Africans must not take the law into their own hands.

He urged the nation to extend hospitality to foreign nationals, balanced with respect for local laws and society.

“We are actively rooting out corruption in our immigration system.

“We will not allow people to take the law into their own hands.

“We extend hospitality to those who are guests in our country, with the expectation that generosity is honoured with respect for our society and its laws.”

Ramaphosa’s remarks follow a recent surge in anti-immigrant protests and attacks on foreign nationals across South Africa, with the president cautioning that frustrations over immigration must not be allowed to escalate into xenophobia.

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