Johannesburg – The Nelson Mandela Foundation is calling for a renewed commitment to social cohesion, the principles of constitutional democracy, and the upholding of the rule of law.
As South Africa braces for heightened tensions ahead of the anti-immigrant protests set for 30 June 2026, officials are warning against potential violence and unlawful acts of intimidation.
On Friday, 26 June 2026, the foundation stressed the importance of unity and legal order after an event they referred to as “a strategic dialogue on migration,” which was co-hosted with Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) on 25 June 2026.
This event brought together representatives from 14 civil society organizations.
The conversations started with insights from Yitna Getachew, Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (United Nations).
The current context for this dialogue is the growing concern regarding public rhetoric surrounding the planned protests on 30 June.
Facilitating difficult dialogues about democracy, justice, and peace is fundamental to the Foundation’s mission.
This engagement exemplifies that ongoing commitment, fostering an environment for discussions rooted in evidence.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation recognizes that many South Africans are understandably frustrated with the democratic state’s inability to fulfill the Constitution’s promise for societal transformation over the past three decades.
However, this frustration is increasingly misdirected towards individuals viewed as unwelcome outsiders.
In a politically charged atmosphere, it is more crucial than ever to address public concerns in ways that uphold constitutional values, human dignity, and the rule of law.
One key point raised during the dialogue was the imperative to ground public discourse in reliable evidence.
Trustworthy and accessible data indicates that South Africa’s experiences with human migration are not unique.
Global trends show that countries around the world are facing similar challenges.
Furthermore, South Africa’s struggles cannot be solely blamed on immigration.
Many internal factors also require consideration, including rapid urbanization, poor town planning, and corruption among local authorities.
In 1995, Nelson Mandela highlighted the initial signs of migration and social cohesion issues in democratic South Africa by stating: “We cannot blame other people for our troubles… It saddens and angers me to see the rising hatred of foreigners.”
The foundation reaffirmed that these words remind us that South Africa’s challenges are best resolved by addressing their root causes, rather than directing blame at those labeled as outsiders.
“It is crucial for South Africa to take ownership of its problems and to actively engage in the global human migration challenge,” the foundation emphasized.
“We encourage South Africans to express their patriotism and commitment to freedom by upholding the rule of law and rejecting calls for violence.
“We also urge the South African government to enforce the law and meet the reasonable expectations of everyone protected by our Constitution.”
