President Cyril Ramaphosa Slammed for Saying Migration Is Not a Threat
- President Cyril Ramaphosa was criticised for his comments on migration in Southern Africa
- He addressed heads of state and delegates on Day 3 of the African National Congress Liberation Movements Summit 2025
- South Africans strongly disagreed with the remarks he made in the presence of leaders of former liberation movements in Southern Africa
- Wits University migration expert Professor Loren Landau spoke to Briefly News about Ramaphosa's comments
Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues, including health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa, during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
Source: Twitter
KEMPTON PARK, EKURHULENI — African National Congress and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was slammed by South Africans for the comments he made about migration at the party's Liberation Movements Summit on 27 July 2025 in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni.
Ramaphosa addressed delegates on Day 3 of the African National Congress Liberation Movements Summit, including the Zimbabwean president and president of Zanu-PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Mozambican president and Frelimo president Daniel Chapo, and representatives from Namibia and SWAPO president Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Angola's MPLA, and the Tanzanian governing party, CCM.
Ramaphosa said that one of the most dangerous narratives today is the weaponisation of migration. He called for a rejection of xenophobia in all its forms. He said that migration must not be seen as a threat.
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"It is a consequence of underdevelopment, war, and global inequality, not a moral failing of those who migrate in search of hope. As liberation movements, we must advocate for people-centered regional migration policies that affirm dignity, rights, and solidarity as well," he said.
He added that Africa's freedom struggles were international and said the freedom was achieved by the efforts of people globally.
Source: Twitter
Healthcare and immigration crisis
Since June, Operation Dudula and March for March have been removing foreign nationals from public healthcare facilities on allegations that they are burdening the healthcare system. The South African Human Rights Commission affirmed that illegal foreigners' right to public healthcare is protected by the Constitution.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi admitted in an interview on 20 July that the government is not adequately responding to the crisis of illegal immigrants. He said that it is worrisome that the government does not know how many illegal immigrants are in the country or what their motives are.
Migration expert speaks to Briefly News
Professor Loren Landau, the South African Research Chair in Mobility and the Politics of Difference at Wits University's African Centre for Migration & Society, spoke to Briefly News. He praised Ramaphosa's statements and said that he bravely encountered popular sentiment in denying that migration is a threat to South African welfare and security.
"He is right that the challenges the country faces are largely of its own making or due to historical legacies and the current global political and economic climates. It is worth noting the irony here as his party, together with most others in the country, has campaigned on an anti-immigration agenda. The ANC policy position and white paper on immigration also spuriously and instrumentally frame migration as an acute danger to South Africans," he said.
What did South Africans say?
Netizens slammed his statement.
Thabo Chidi said:
"Nonsense. The ANC must be shown the door come 2026 and 2029."
Thomas said:
"What nonsense is this? We have no problem with migration. We have a problem with illegal undocumented foreign nationals doing as they please."
Lesoganatsoko said:
"It's nice to talk rubbish when your family doesn't know how to queue for medication at 4 am."
Patriotic Girl said:
"Getting rid of illegal immigrants and demanding the rule of law is not xenophobic."
Phezukwabo said:
"South Africa has a very big problem with undocumented immigrants and the citizens of South Africa see this as a big threat."
Migration challenges in SA
One of South Africa’s major challenges is the issue of illegal immigration. The country’s porous borders make it relatively easy for people to cross into the country without documentation, resulting in a significant population of undocumented immigrants. This situation puts pressure on public resources such as healthcare, education, and housing.
Since undocumented immigrants often lack legal access to these services, the burden shifts to the government and taxpayers. Services meant for citizens can become overstretched and underfunded. The availability of undocumented workers willing to accept lower wages may lead to job displacement among local citizens.
From 2011 to 2022, the primary driver of internal migration for both men and women was the search for paid work. Data shows that 13.7% of male migrants and 9.4% of female migrants moved primarily for job opportunities. For men, the second most common reason was job transfers or accepting new employment (7.8%).
Zimbabwean politicians debate healthcare crisis in SA
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Zimbabwean politicians shared different views on the healthcare crisis in South Africa. Opposition member Tendai Biti called on the ANC to act against Zanu PF.
His comments came after Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said in Parliament that the government will not pay Zimbabweans' medical bills. Biti said that Zimbabweans are entitled to healthcare whether they are in Zimbabwe or another country.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
