MTN Group Chairman says state failure fuels xenophobia in South Africa
By Aboki Forex —
MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas has blamed state failure for rising anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa. He said politicians exploit the issue for votes instead of solving real problems.
Jonas spoke at the funeral of Zimbabwean activist Thokozani Damasane in Johannesburg. He used the eulogy to address immigration and social cohesion challenges in the country.
His comments come as xenophobic attacks target foreign nationals from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other African countries. Anti-immigrant protesters have set a June 30 deadline for all foreigners to leave South Africa.
Jonas said blaming foreigners distracts from deeper governance failures. “Foreigners can leave tomorrow, inequality will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow, unemployment will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow, our police will remain corrupt,” he said.
He pointed to weak governance, poor border management, ineffective law enforcement and failures in public service delivery. “The problem is the failure of the state. The state doesn't manage immigration. It doesn't manage its borders. It doesn't enforce law enforcement. It doesn't manage education,” Jonas stated.
He warned that frustrated citizens are becoming vulnerable to politicians who use foreigners as scapegoats instead of fixing structural problems.
Jonas also criticised tribalism and ethnic nationalism. He described them as divisive forces that undermine African unity. He said colonial systems institutionalised tribal divisions and modern politicians still exploit them for gain.
“The tribe is a product of colonial powers,” he said. He urged South Africans to reject ethnic nationalism and embrace a broader African identity.