As anti-immigration sentiment sweeps across South Africa, Ghanaians are among the first to feel the pressure. Their government has announced the start of voluntary repatriation flights, but the response on the ground has been muted — and deeply worrying.
At Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport early this morning, a chartered flight meant to carry the first group of 300 Ghanaians back home sat almost empty. Only one person showed up. The Ghanaian High Commission had announced the evacuation flight would depart by 5am, but the low turnout tells its own story — many are still weighing their options amid growing fear.
Journalist Nqobile Madlala spoke to one Ghanaian national at the airport who said, “We are hearing rumours every day. People are scared to go to work or even leave their homes. We don’t know what will happen next.”
The Trigger: Nationwide “March and March” Protests
The current wave of anxiety follows a series of highly successful anti-immigration marches organised by the “March and March” movement in March and April 2026. Protests took place in Durban, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, and several other provinces, drawing large crowds and shutting down streets in major cities.
The marches were peaceful in most areas but sent a clear message: many South Africans want stricter enforcement of immigration laws and believe foreign nationals are competing for scarce jobs and resources.
Violence and Local Tensions
In the North West province, one person was killed in a dispute over shop ownership. Residents have since become more vocal, openly saying they want to “claim back” businesses they believe were taken over by foreigners. Similar sentiments are now being heard in parts of Limpopo, where communities are demanding that foreign-owned shops be handed back to locals.
These incidents have heightened fears among African migrants, especially those from Ghana, Nigeria, and other West African countries who dominate the spaza shop and small retail sector in townships.
The Ultimatum from March and March Leader
Ndabanda, leader of the March and March movement, has been blunt. He told African migrants they should leave the country before 30 June, saying she could no longer guarantee their safety after that date. In a widely circulated video He said migrants should not listen to the South African government for reassurance.
Ngobese-Zuma later clarified her position, stating: “Foreign nationals are becoming victims of problems they allegedly create. Our movement is not targeting anyone but demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws.”
Her remarks came after police dispersed a group of foreign nationals who had sought refuge at Durban Central Police Station, claiming they feared being forced out of their homes.
Government Responds to Disinformation
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has moved quickly to debunk fake notices circulating on social media. One widely shared document using the official government coat of arms claimed that “all illegal foreigners” must leave by 30 June. SAPS HQ called it pure disinformation designed to cause panic.
Today’s Protests in Thokoza
On 21 May 2026, residents of Thokoza came out in large numbers under the banner “Enough is Enough.” Protesters blocked roads and chanted against illegal foreign nationals, describing the situation as “really something serious today.”
How This Compares to the 2015 Xenophobic Riots
The current situation draws uncomfortable parallels with the deadly 2015 xenophobic riots. In March and April 2015, violence erupted in Durban after a speech by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini that was widely interpreted as anti-foreigner. The unrest quickly spread to Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of the Eastern Cape. At least seven people were killed, thousands displaced, and hundreds of foreign-owned shops looted and burned.
In 2015, the targets were mainly Nigerians, Somalis, Zimbabweans and other African nationals running small businesses. The trigger was the same narrative we hear today — foreigners “taking jobs” and “stealing opportunities” from locals. The government’s response was widely criticised for being slow and reactive. It eventually deployed the army to restore order, but the damage had already been done.
Eleven years later, the language feels familiar. However, there are notable differences. In 2026 the protests are more organised, led by the “March and March” movement rather than spontaneous mob violence. The rhetoric is framed around “illegal immigration” and “enforcement of laws” rather than outright ethnic hostility. Yet the fear on the ground is just as real — and in some areas, the threat of violence is once again present.
One key difference is the speed of international reaction. In 2015 several African countries, including Nigeria, recalled their ambassadors and began evacuation plans. In 2026 we are already seeing the first repatriation flight from Ghana, even if the turnout was low. This suggests foreign governments are acting faster this time to protect their citizens.
What Happens Next?
As the Ghanaian government prepares more repatriation flights, many foreign nationals are weighing whether to stay or leave. The coming weeks will be critical. While the government insists there is no official directive forcing anyone out, the street-level pressure and growing protests are creating a climate of fear that is hard to ignore.
For now, the message from many communities is loud: they want immigration laws enforced and local economic opportunities protected. How the authorities respond — and whether the violence can be contained — will determine whether this tension turns into a full-blown humanitarian crisis or remains a contained political movement.
The situation remains fluid. News Afrika will continue monitoring developments as more foreign nationals consider their future in South Africa.
