Mixed political reactions on Ramaphosa’s address on migration issues

The Democratic Alliance leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on migration-related issues; however, he has called for urgent economic reform.

The President addressed the nation this evening on migration and border management amid concerns over growing anti-immigrant sentiments.

“I welcome President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation this evening, and his clear message that South Africa’s economic struggles are not caused by foreign nationals, but by the failure to grow the economy and create millions of jobs.

This is the right message at a dangerous moment for our country. South Africans must reject xenophobia, uphold our constitutional values, and never allow anger over hardship to become violence against vulnerable people.”

Hill-Lewis says the DA will support every lawful effort in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to restore order, secure our borders, and fix the broken systems that have allowed illegal migration to become a source of fear and frustration.

“That is why the work being done by Minister Leon Schreiber at Home Affairs to strengthen lawful immigration control, improve documentation, and secure the border must be welcomed. People must be in South Africa legally, and the law must be enforced by the state – not by mobs, vigilantes, or politicians who stoke hatred for votes.

Anyone who incites violence against foreign nationals, including political leaders, must be arrested and prosecuted, and every South African must abide by the Constitution we share.

We must be honest that the deeper answer to this crisis is jobs, growth and a capable state.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sam Matiase says the President has been under pressure to address the nation on the issue of undocumented foreign nationals. Matiase says, the President’s address comes amid growing tensions following protests against undocumented foreign nationals, as well as planned demonstrations by the March and March Movement, which has threatened nationwide marches on 30 June.

“What South Africans should ask is, “Why only now?” The President has offered no solution whatsoever to the crisis of immigration, and South Africans would be in a rightful position to ask this question, “Why only now?” The reason for him having called this press this evening is because he has been under tremendous pressure from his counterparts in the continent who have called upon him to intervene, and they have reminded him that, “You seem to have short memory of all the contribution that the rest of the continent has done for you to attain your own liberation and freedom.” They might have told him that “you, as South Africans, you are a bunch of ungrateful savages who kill your own brothers and sisters. You are a disgrace to human race and to an African personality.” This might be what his counterparts might have told him.”