•Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi
South Africa’s Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has raised concern over the country’s deteriorating image abroad, warning that perceptions of xenophobia are triggering real economic and cultural consequences for citizens.
Kubayi said the impact is increasingly being felt beyond diplomacy and business, extending into the creative industry where South African entertainers rely heavily on continental performances for income, reports AFP.
“Majority of South African artists who perform in other African countries are seeing their gigs getting cancelled. One artist reached out to me and said all her gigs were cancelled,” she said.
She described the situation as part of a wider backlash affecting the country’s “brand,” noting that both businesses and individuals are now facing difficulties in several African countries.
According to her, the government is already engaging through diplomatic and support channels to cushion the impact on affected South African companies operating abroad.
“We are raising the issues that we are raising, the brand is hurting, we can’t lie about it. The backlash, and that’s why part of the work that we are doing as government as well through DECO is engagement with businesses abroad,” she said.
Kubayi added that Minister Ronald Lamola has also been meeting with South African businesses outside the country, with consular support being strengthened to assist those affected.
She said the fallout has now expanded to the entertainment sector, where cancelled performances are translating into direct income losses for artists.
The minister stressed that the government would also work with the arts and culture sector to better understand the scale of the impact and develop coordinated responses.
Kubayi, however, insisted that South Africans should not be broadly labelled as xenophobic, arguing that the government continues to promote responsible citizenship while addressing migration concerns through legal frameworks.
She said there is ongoing engagement with African partners who, according to her, acknowledge South Africa’s challenges regarding undocumented migration and support law enforcement efforts.
At the same time, she urged communities to reject violence against foreign nationals, saying such actions damage both national unity and international standing.
Kubayi maintained that foreigners living legally in South Africa should be protected, adding that the state’s approach is to balance enforcement with respect for human rights and regional relations.
There have been recent reports of violence and unrest targeting African foreign nationals in South Africa amid renewed concerns about xenophobia in the country.
Anti-immigrant protests and sporadic attacks on foreign-owned businesses in some communities have forced migrants from countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, and others to flee affected areas or seek protection.
Human rights groups and observers say the incidents are driven by economic frustration, unemployment, and growing hostility toward undocumented migration.
The situation has also spilled into international public sentiment during the ongoing World Cup period, where discussions around South Africa’s participation have been shaped by these tensions.
While the national team continues its campaign, there has been criticism and backlash in some online and fan spaces from African supporters expressing anger over the reported attacks.
