Nigerian Richard Itoro is not sure when he will see his twin children again. Fearing for his safety as the anti-migrant protests cranked up in South Africa this year, the 47-year-old left his family and business behind in Johannesburg and boarded one of the voluntary repatriation flights to Nigeria in June. His is just one of many experiences that is fuelling diplomatic tension and threatening to rupture relations between South Africa and other countries on the continent.
Tens of thousands of foreigners have left the country over the past two months. “It was painful for me to leave [the] person who’s my best friend,” Itoro tells the BBC, with tears welling up, as he reflects on saying goodbye to his South African wife. Over 15 years, he had built up a car-dealership business, bought a home and created a family.
That is now all gone for him. Itoro became the target of harassment but his wife was not spared the intimidation. He says his neighbours told her: “You’re married to a Nigerian.
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Those of you who are married to Nigerians we are supposed to arrest you people. “You guys betrayed us. Go and leave the country with your husband and don’t be here.” “My family was just a small family, which was beautiful and peaceful. I had no issues with anybody.”
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