Mbeki: Don’t blame migrants, South Africans did this

Former President Thabo Mbeki has spoken out strongly against rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, saying the country’s challenges are self-inflicted and cannot be blamed on foreign nationals. Mbeki’s comments come amid renewed tensions and public debates surrounding the activities of Operation Dudula, a group that has been accused of targeting African migrants under the guise of community activism.

“When I see things like Operation Dudula, it hurts,” Mbeki said during a public engagement this week. “We can’t position ourselves as though we’re enemies of other Africans. It’s not right. The problems we face in South Africa were caused by South Africans — not by people who migrated here.”Mbeki, who served as president from 1999 to 2008, has long been a proponent of African unity and continental solidarity. He emphasized that blaming migrants for unemployment, crime, and service delivery failures is both factually incorrect and morally unjustified.

“We can’t shift responsibility for our failures onto others,” he added, urging South Africans to confront issues such as corruption, inequality, and governance shortcomings instead.His remarks have reignited discussion around xenophobia and the role of leadership in addressing social frustration. Analysts say Mbeki’s statement reflects growing concern among senior political figures that anti-immigrant movements are eroding South Africa’s image as a nation founded on unity and human rights.

Civil society groups and human rights organisations have welcomed Mbeki’s intervention, calling it a timely reminder of the country’s constitutional values. “South Africa’s liberation was built on pan-African solidarity — we must never forget that,” one activist said.Mbeki’s words serve as a sobering call for introspection at a time when economic pressures and political divisions threaten to deepen hostility among citizens.

For more on this and other national stories, remember to like, comment, share, and follow for the latest news shaping South Africa’s social and political landscape.