JOHANNESBURG — President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans on Tuesday not to scapegoat migrants for the country’s deepening social and economic problems, warning that practical policies, not blame, are needed to tackle unemployment, crime and failing services.
Speaking at a National Youth Day event in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa acknowledged young people’s frustration, South Africa’s youth unemployment sits at about 46% and the nation still wrestles with one of the world’s highest murder rates and stark racial inequality three decades after apartheid. He said illegal immigration is being addressed, but stressed most of the country’s problems are domestic and must be solved by South Africans themselves.
The appeal comes amid a recent surge in protests and violent attacks against foreign nationals, and ahead of a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant groups demanding undocumented migrants leave the country. Ramaphosa has repeatedly condemned such attacks but faces criticism that his government has not done enough to stop them.
As Africa’s largest economy, South Africa draws migrants from neighboring states and conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ramaphosa also faces growing political pressure ahead of November municipal elections, where his African National Congress is expected to suffer further losses amid long-standing governance failures and sluggish growth.