Maha Christopher
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has expressed concern over the economic impact of growing xenophobia allegations against the country, saying businesses and entertainers are beginning to suffer losses across Africa.
According to The Punch, Kubayi said South African companies operating abroad and local artistes have been affected by the backlash, with some performers reportedly losing engagements on the continent.
Speaking during an interview with SABC on Sunday, the minister insisted that recent deportation and evacuation exercises in South Africa were targeted at illegal immigrants and should not be interpreted as xenophobic actions.
“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.
“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.”
The minister noted that the effects of the backlash are becoming increasingly visible in the entertainment industry.
“The majority of our artistes perform on the continent, and many of them are seeing their gigs being cancelled,” she said.
“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.”
Kubayi urged African countries to separate concerns over illegal immigration from the treatment of legally resident South Africans.
“That is why let’s deal with the issue of illegal immigrants. Those you have within your borders legally, please protect them as you would protect South Africans,” she added.
The comments come amid heightened tensions following reports of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have prompted countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi to evacuate some of their citizens.
The controversy also spilled into football after South Africa captain Ronwen Williams expressed disappointment that many African fans appeared to support Mexico instead of South Africa during Bafana Bafana’s World Cup defeat to the co-hosts.
“Africans have always supported other African countries in every World Cup tournament, but I can’t figure out why our own case is different,” Williams said.
“Many Africans supported Mexico, not us, the South Africans. We almost shed tears, but it’s truly sad.”
