How the South Africa election is being shaped by xenophobia and apathy
- ‘Militant’ party expected to make gains as impoverished voters shun the ANC over a lack of improvement in employment and living standards
There are sinister forces trying to undermine South Africa’s national unity through racism and attacks on foreigners, according to the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
That was his view on Freedom Day on April 27, the 25th anniversary of the first post-apartheid elections.
Ramaphosa was responding to an increase of racist attacks before the May 8 election which his African National Congress (ANC) party looks set to win, although probably with a reduced majority.
Racism and xenophobia have become increasingly common, largely driven by rising frustration among millions of people who are still disadvantaged despite promises of a “better life for all”.
The targets include Chinese but they are mainly people from elsewhere in Africa – impoverished citizens of neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe or fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Somalia.