The initiative, announced by the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to foster dialogue on migration and counter what government has described as misleading narratives portraying South Africans as broadly xenophobic. The move comes amid heightened tensions linked to reports of attacks on foreign nationals and the circulation of unverified content online.
Brand Reputation Strategist and Socio-Political Commentator Solly Moeng said the situation has already caused reputational damage and continues to fuel anger in parts of the continent. Speaking to Channel Africa on Friday, Moeng referred to disturbing footage circulating online that has contributed to heightened emotions, while stressing that violence cannot be justified and is undermining SA’s image.
Moeng said the issue requires a balanced and honest conversation, arguing that immigration management challenges cannot be ignored. Moeng said SA has faced longstanding difficulties related to porous borders and undocumented migration, and emphasised the need for stricter enforcement of legal processes to ensure that all individuals living in the country are properly documented.
At the same time, Moeng cautioned against narratives that call for exclusion, noting that migrants play a meaningful role in the country’s economy and society. Moeng said many foreign nationals are legally present and contribute positively, adding that any response must avoid generalisation while upholding the rule of law.
On the question of disinformation, Moeng said there is no clear evidence of coordinated campaigns targeting SA, arguing instead that the focus should be on taking responsibility for domestic challenges. Moeng said attributing the situation to external forces risks deflecting attention from underlying issues.
Moeng also acknowledged that isolated incidents can be amplified, particularly through social media, contributing to a perception gap. According to Moeng, reputational challenges are being shaped both by real events and by the rapid spread of unverified content, creating a complex information environment.
Moeng said efforts such as sending envoys, while important diplomatically, are unlikely to resolve the issue on their own. Moeng described the approach as addressing symptoms rather than underlying causes, arguing that the key challenge remains the large number of undocumented individuals and inefficiencies within administrative systems.
Moeng suggested that a more practical response would involve strengthening immigration systems, improving processing capacity and addressing corruption within state institutions. Concerns were raised about officials facilitating illegal documentation through bribery, with calls for stronger accountability to deter such practices.
A structured approach to documentation was also proposed, with individuals required to regularise their status within a defined timeframe. Moeng said this would provide clarity while ensuring compliance with existing laws, in line with international norms.
–ChannelAfrica–
