Xenophobia: Foreigners are not South Africa’s problem, MTN chair says

Mcebisi Jonas, the chairman of MTN Group, has condemned the wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, arguing that targeting foreign nationals will not resolve the country’s deep-rooted economic and governance challenges.

Jonas made the remarks while speaking at the funeral of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant Thokozani Damasane, where he called for greater national unity and a renewed sense of collective responsibility.

He said South Africa’s persistent challenges, including unemployment, inequality and corruption, would remain even if all foreign nationals left the country.

“Foreigners can leave tomorrow, but inequality will still be with us. Foreigners can leave tomorrow, unemployment will still be with us. Foreigners can leave tomorrow, our police will remain corrupt, and our politicians will still be focused on getting elected and re-elected,” Jonas said.

The MTN chairman attributed the growing hostility towards foreigners to failures in governance, saying weak border management, poor law enforcement and ineffective public institutions had created conditions that politicians exploit for political gain.

“The problem is the failure of the state. The state doesn’t manage immigration. It doesn’t manage its borders. It doesn’t enforce the law. It doesn’t manage education. What are you expecting?” he said.

Jonas warned that citizens frustrated by poor governance often become vulnerable to political actors who deflect public anger by blaming foreigners instead of addressing systemic failures.

He urged South Africans to reject divisive narratives and focus on tackling the structural issues driving the country’s socioeconomic difficulties.