Herman Mashaba Fuels Xenophobia: Targets Foreign Children In SA Schools
13 January 2025
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By Munacho Gwamanda- Former Johannesburg Mayor and leader of the little-known opposition ActionSA Herman Mashaba has fueled xenophobia against foreign children attending South African schools.

His xenophobic attacks on foreign children follow the government’s directive allowing children of undocumented foreigners, including Zimbabweans, to enrol for the 2025 academic year.

A memo from South Africa’s Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirms that schools must admit all learners regardless of their documentation status, even those lacking identification for matriculation years.

Mashaba, speaking on SABC, lashed out at the policy, arguing it strains South Africa’s resources and undermines the country’s sovereignty.

“If I had my way, there’s no way we would allow anyone without documentation in our country,” Mashaba said. “You even find in some schools children numbering 90 in a class. South Africa seems to have become a country where you don’t need passports or VISAs; just walk through our porous borders.”

Mashaba’s comments have sparked outrage, with critics accusing him of stoking xenophobia and blaming Zimbabweans for systemic failures in South Africa’s education system.

The leader of the small opposition’s comments are not isolated; they are part of a broader history of xenophobia that has plagued South Africa for decades. 

Despite the country’s proud liberation history and ethos of Pan-African solidarity, foreign nationals—particularly those from other African countries—have frequently been scapegoated for South Africa’s socio-economic challenges.

The roots of xenophobia in South Africa can be traced back to the apartheid era when the regime fostered division among African ethnic groups as a strategy of control. 

Post-apartheid, the government faced the challenge of addressing deep economic inequalities and high unemployment rates. 

As service delivery faltered, migrants became easy targets for frustration and anger, with many South Africans blaming them for “stealing jobs” and overburdening public services.

Over the years, South Africa has witnessed waves of violent xenophobic attacks. 

In 2008, a series of coordinated assaults on foreign nationals resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people and the displacement of thousands.

Similarly, in 2015 and 2019, mobs attacked foreign-owned businesses and homes, accusing migrants of economic competition and criminal activities.

Zimbabweans, due to their significant presence in South Africa, have borne the brunt of these attacks.

Economic and political instability in Zimbabwe has driven millions across the border, where they often take up menial jobs or operate informal businesses.

Their visibility in marginalised communities makes them easy targets for xenophobic rhetoric and violence.

Politicians like Mashaba and Gayton McKenzie, the Patriotic Alliance leader, have frequently exploited xenophobic sentiments against Zimbabweans to garner political support.

By blaming foreign nationals for South Africa’s socio-economic woes, they deflect attention from systemic governance failures. 

Mashaba’s rhetoric about “porous borders” and “straining resources” echoes familiar tropes used to demonise migrants, further inflaming tensions.

While South Africa grapples with significant challenges—high unemployment, inadequate housing, and an overburdened education system—xenophobia is not the solution.

Policies like the DBE’s directive to admit undocumented children reflect a commitment to human rights and social justice. 

These measures align with South Africa’s constitutional values and international obligations to protect vulnerable populations, including migrant children.

Mashaba’s comments, however, risk undoing progress by stoking division and hostility. 

Leaders need to promote unity and address the root causes of South Africa’s socio-economic challenges rather than scapegoating foreign nationals.

An estimated 3 million Zimbabweans live and work in South Africa, many without proper documentation. 

They contribute to the economy through labour, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange.

However, their undocumented status makes them vulnerable to exploitation and xenophobic violence, perpetuating a cycle of marginalisation.