While the KwaZulu-Natal government is within its rights to address immigration in the province, the issue has become highly emotive and requires caution. The debate has shifted from policy to a climate of suspicion. Foreign nationals are increasingly viewed as an inconvenience rather than contributors to society.
What began as concern about undocumented migration has, in many cases, extended to lawful immigrants who have long been part of the country’s social and economic life. This change has developed over years, shaped by political rhetoric, economic pressure and institutional failures. Organised anti-immigration movements did not create anti-foreigner sentiment; they exposed attitudes that already existed.
In communities facing unemployment, crime and poor service delivery, these movements provided language for existing grievances. A key problem is that the distinction between undocumented migrants and legal immigrants has weakened. Public debate often fails to separate law enforcement from suspicion of all foreign nationals.
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Raids on businesses may be intended as enforcement, but the message received is often broader, suggesting that foreignness itself is suspect. This is reflected in growing calls that senior government or public sector posts should be reserved for people born in South Africa. In the early years of democracy there was a shortage of professionals, especially teachers.
Educators from other African countries were recruited legally and employed in public schools. Many remain in the system, having taught generations of pupils and supported the rebuilding of institutions weakened by apartheid. There are also sectors, particularly in academia, research and development, where countries compete globally for scarce skills. Excellence in these fields depends on attracting and retaining the best minds, regardless of origin.
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