MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas has called on South Africans to reject xenophobia, warning that hostility toward foreign nationals undermines the country’s democratic principles and weakens its long-term economic outlook.
Speaking at a funeral service in South Africa, Jonas said rising anti-foreigner sentiment risks distracting the nation from deeper structural challenges such as unemployment, governance weaknesses, and persistent socio-economic inequality.
He cautioned that blaming foreign nationals for domestic hardships oversimplifies complex economic realities and can fuel division at a time when unity is needed most.
“We cannot judge people by their origin. We cannot determine the legal status of people by their origin,” Jonas said, urging citizens to uphold fairness and human dignity regardless of nationality.
Jonas further argued that South Africa’s prosperity is inseparable from the broader African continent, stressing that regional integration and cooperation are essential for sustainable development.
“We are a nation embedded in Africa. And without Africa, our growth as a country, economically, our fortune is intertwined with the growth of Africa. South Africa is nothing without Africa. And Africa is nothing without South Africa,” he said.
His remarks come amid renewed public debate over immigration, unemployment, and social tensions in South Africa, where incidents of xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant rhetoric have periodically sparked concern among human rights organisations, civil society groups, and regional observers.
Jonas warned that framing foreign nationals as the root cause of economic hardship risks diverting attention from policy reforms needed to address structural problems. He said such narratives can deepen social fragmentation and undermine efforts to build inclusive economic growth.
Instead, he called for stronger African solidarity and cooperation, arguing that deeper regional integration is key to unlocking the continent’s economic potential. He emphasized that South Africa’s future success is closely tied to the progress of its neighbouring countries and the continent as a whole.
The MTN Group chair’s comments add to ongoing conversations in South Africa about migration, labour markets, and social cohesion, particularly as economic pressures continue to affect communities across the country.
Jonas concluded by reiterating that sustainable development requires unity rather than division, and urged South Africans to resist narratives that encourage discrimination based on nationality or origin.
