By Àkànní Olúwaségún Michael
The Chairman of MTN Group, Mcebisi Jonas, has attributed the growing wave of xenophobia in South Africa to governance failures and mounting socio-economic pressures, warning that hostility toward foreign nationals risks undermining the country’s economic and social stability.
Speaking at the funeral of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant Thokozani Damasane, Jonas argued that anti-immigrant sentiment has become a distraction from deeper structural challenges facing Africa’s most industrialised economy, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, and inadequate public services.
According to Jonas, migrants are increasingly being used as scapegoats for problems that stem from policy shortcomings and weak state capacity.
“Home is where humanity is, Jonas said during his address, emphasizing the need for South Africans to uphold values of inclusion and shared prosperity rather than division.
The MTN chairman noted that Damasane, who relocated from Zimbabwe to South Africa during the post-apartheid era, dedicated much of his life to advancing democratic ideals and public service in his adopted country.
Jonas described him as an example of how migrants can contribute meaningfully to national development when given opportunities.
Jonas’ comments come amid renewed debates over immigration and economic participation in South Africa, where sluggish economic growth and persistently high unemployment have fueled tensions between citizens and foreign nationals.
The recurring xenophobic incidents could weaken investor confidence, disrupt labour markets, and damage South Africa’s reputation as a regional economic hub.
Jonas stressed that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved through exclusionary policies or anti-foreigner rhetoric.
Instead, he urged policymakers to address the underlying causes of public frustration by improving governance, expanding economic opportunities, and strengthening service delivery.
He further cautioned against the use of xenophobia as a political tool, arguing that leaders must focus on solving structural economic problems rather than exploiting public grievances.
For multinational corporations such as MTN Group, which operates in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, regional integration and cross-border mobility remain critical to long-term business growth and economic cooperation.
