South Africa is experiencing a rise in xenophobic protests targeting foreigners, raising concerns among other African nations about the treatment of their citizens in South African cities.

Donovan Williams, a South African-based social commentator, spoke on Good Morning Namibia, highlighting that xenophobia in South Africa is closely linked to racism.

He noted that such sentiments are growing globally, as people increasingly blame foreigners for economic and social difficulties.

Williams explained, “This is a xenophobic action directed not just at foreigners, but it’s also got racist intent because it’s directed at African foreigners, foreigners from the continent, black foreigners, to use the informal term.Across our continent and the world, you see a rise of ultra-nationalism because people feel that they are losing out and are being unfairly targeted by external groups who are not necessarily linked to their country or community.”

He further attributed the rise in xenophobia to South Africa’s multiple ongoing crises, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime, and corruption, which have heightened public frustration and economic pressure.

“South Africa at any given time is experiencing a multiple number of crises, and at different times they come to the fore. Chief among them is the economic crisis, particularly joblessness or unemployment, growing poverty, and inequality. These stubborn issues have been fermenting other crises, including a rise in crime and growing impatience with the government, as more reports of corruption and elite exploitation emerge,” Williams said.

The situation underscores the complex challenges facing South Africa, where economic hardships are fuelling social tensions that threaten regional stability and relations with neighboring countries.