South Africans Show Notable Decline in Tolerance Toward Migrants

In the aftermath of these protests, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on citizens to demonstrate solidarity with their African neighbors. Meanwhile, foreign governments voiced their concerns, and law enforcement worked to avert any violent escalation.

The national mood was fraught with tension.

Could the latest instances of anti-immigrant activism signal a broader surge in anti-migrant sentiment among South Africans? Recent research from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) indicates that this might indeed be the case.

The HSRC’s South African Social Attitudes Survey offers important insights into how average South Africans view international migration. Conducted annually since 2003, this series of surveys reflects a nationally representative cross-section of the populace.

The latest data from the 2025 survey show that hostility towards immigrants in South Africa has reached its peak since the survey began in 2003. A significant aspect of this change is the hardening of attitudes among lower-income and working-class individuals. Additionally, the recent rise in anti-immigrant sentiment is particularly pronounced in four provinces: Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal.

This increasing hostility is especially concerning with local government elections set for 4 November 2026. Political parties may leverage anti-immigrant sentiments to gain or maintain power, turning elections into potential catalysts for xenophobia.

The escalating tensions could result in xenophobic violence in a country with a history of such incidents, particularly since it accommodates over two million international migrants.

Declining Hospitality

Since 2003, the South African Social Attitudes Survey has posed the following question:

Please indicate which of the following statements applies to you: I generally welcome to South Africa… (i) All immigrants; (ii) Some immigrants; (iii) No immigrants; and (iv) Uncertain.

In 2003, roughly one-third (34%) of South African adults indicated a willingness to welcome all immigrants, while the remainder reported they would welcome either none (32%) or some (35%).

Between 2003 and 2017, the proportion of the public willing to embrace foreigners fluctuated within a narrow band.

However, around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, studies showed a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment.

By the 2021 survey, approximately a quarter (26%) stated they would welcome all immigrants, a figure similar to those recorded in the mid-2010s.

This welcoming attitude further declined in subsequent surveys, plummeting to 15% in 2025.

In contrast, the percentage of respondents who declared a hostile stance (indicating they welcomed no immigrants) increased from 30% in 2021 to 42% in 2025.

Geography and Class

The provinces reporting the most significant rise in anti-immigrant sentiment—Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal—serve as key entry points for many immigrants who often choose to settle there.

The situation in KwaZulu-Natal has grown particularly dire. The percentage of adults in this province claiming they would welcome no immigrants surged from 23% in 2021 to 45% in 2023, reaching 60% in 2025.

The increase in hostility in KwaZulu-Natal may be tied to rising public dissatisfaction with the economic and political climate. A striking 88% of residents reported unhappiness with current economic conditions, with the same percentage foreseeing further deterioration over the next five years.

Particularly alarming is the significant change in attitudes among lower-income populations.

South Africa remains a highly unequal nation, characterized by major economic disparities. The majority of citizens find themselves on the disadvantaged side of these divides.

Historically, research indicates that anti-immigrant sentiments in the country were not limited to class boundaries. However, post-COVID-19 changes have been observed.

Data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey previously illustrated a consistent link between economic hardship and negative sentiments towards immigrants. Yet, as pandemic restrictions lifted and recovery commenced, hostility towards immigrants surged, particularly among lower and lower-middle-class socioeconomic groups.

In the 2025 survey, adults from these demographics exhibited significantly greater animosity towards foreigners compared to those from upper-middle and high socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Drivers

What has fueled the increased antagonism of economically disadvantaged individuals towards immigrants in recent years?

It is likely that the economically disadvantaged are increasingly scapegoating foreigners for the failures and inequalities exacerbated by the post-pandemic economic recovery. Many individuals have experienced a cost-of-living crisis and ongoing deindustrialization, seeking someone to blame—making immigrants a convenient target.

In recent years, South Africa has struggled with persistently high unemployment and notoriously elevated crime rates. Experts consistently note that these problems cannot be directly attributed to the immigrant population, yet immigrants continue to be unfairly vilified.

What Should Be Done?

The South African government has launched a National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance.

Initiated in March 2019, one of its goals was to diminish public hostility towards migrants. However, it has become clear that due to lack of resources or poor government coordination, the plan has not met its intended objectives.

The country must reinvigorate this initiative and its associated processes. A united effort from political, civic, and community leaders is crucial to addressing legitimate socioeconomic concerns without allowing immigrants to serve as scapegoats for deeper systemic issues.

Enhancing social cohesion, promoting economic inclusion, fostering public trust in governance, and encouraging responsible political leadership are also vital.

It is imperative to implement effective and well-resourced anti-xenophobia strategies urgently to tackle this escalating crisis. The risk otherwise is allowing hatred to take root.

Steven Gordon, Chief Research Specialist, Human Sciences Research Council

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.