Foreigners in South Africa : Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has reiterated his call for a new approach toward foreign nationals.
He suggests that the government should focus on documenting these individuals instead of deporting them. During his appearance on SABC News’ Face the Nation, Malema emphasized that foreigners in South Africa are already part of the country’s population, and it is time to accept this reality.
The Reality of Foreigners in South Africa
Malema pointed out that foreigners in South Africa are a permanent presence in the country. He stated, “Whether you like it or not, they’re here.”
According to him, attempts to deport them are not only futile but also wasteful. Instead of focusing on deportation, the government should create a clear and systematic way to document foreigners in South Africa. This would allow authorities to monitor them more efficiently and ensure they contribute to the country’s economy.
He used a simple analogy to make his point: South Africa is like a person who locks a gate without having a fence around the yard. This situation illustrates how ineffective the current border policies are at stopping foreigners in South Africa from entering.
SA Behaves Like a ‘Mad Person’
The EFF leader was blunt in his critique, saying that South Africa is acting irrationally when it comes to immigration. Malema said the country behaves “like a mad person” who installs a gate but has no surrounding fence. This, in his view, reflects the ineffective policies on border control, which do little to prevent the influx of foreigners in South Africa.
Malema’s argument is clear: South Africa’s borders are not strong enough to stop the arrival of **foreigners in South Africa**. He referenced the actions of Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie, who tried to patrol the Limpopo River to prevent Zimbabweans from crossing. According to Malema, McKenzie’s efforts only proved that **foreigners in South Africa** will continue to cross the border, regardless of the measures in place.
Gayton McKenzie Proves Malema’s Point
In a recent incident, Gayton McKenzie tried to deter Zimbabweans from crossing the river into South Africa. However, despite his efforts, foreigners in South Africa continue to enter. Malema used this example to illustrate the reality that without a real fence or border, there is no way to stop people from crossing.
This reality, he argues, shows the need for a different approach — documenting **foreigners in South Africa** rather than spending state resources on ineffective deportation strategies.
Documenting Foreigners is the Solution
The EFF’s policy does not support open, undocumented borders, Malema clarified. Instead, they advocate for the documentation of all **foreigners in South Africa**. He stated that no one should be in the country without proper documentation, just as South Africans are required to have identification.
Documenting **foreigners in South Africa** would allow the government to have a better grasp of who is in the country. This would also improve security by making it easier to track individuals in the event of any criminal activity. Malema argued that many **foreigners in South Africa** temporarily return to their home countries during the holidays and then re-enter. He believes this makes the deportation system ineffective and a waste of government resources.
Instead, the money spent on deportations could be better used to support social welfare programs, such as feeding schemes for poor children or improvements to public healthcare systems.
Foreigners Contribute to South Africa’s Economy
Malema challenged the xenophobic claim that foreigners in South Africa are taking jobs from locals. He argued that the jobs typically given to **foreigners in South Africa** are those that South Africans are not interested in. These are often low-paying, labor-intensive jobs essential for the economy but undesirable to many local workers.
According to Malema, “The jobs they are taking are slavery jobs that no South African wants to do.” He also pointed out that many **foreigners in South Africa** are skilled workers, particularly in trades like plumbing and electrical work. Without these workers, many essential services would collapse.
South Africa Needs Foreign Workers
Malema warned that the country would face significant consequences if **foreigners in South Africa** were expelled. He argued that South Africa’s infrastructure would suffer because insufficient skilled local workers fill the gaps. “The whole plumbing and sewer system of South Africa will go into a blockade,” he said, emphasizing the importance of **foreigners in South Africa** in maintaining the country’s infrastructure.
Foreign workers play a critical role in sectors locals either don’t want or can’t fulfill. Malema pointed out that even in areas where South Africans do work, such as teaching, job losses are not due to **foreigners in South Africa**, but rather the government’s lack of political will to sustain those positions.
Prioritizing Qualified South Africans
While Malema advocates for documenting **foreigners in South Africa**, he also stresses the importance of prioritizing qualified South Africans for jobs, particularly those requiring special qualifications. He argued that there are not enough locals to meet the workforce’s demands, so foreigners in South Africa are needed in sectors such as trade and engineering.
Malema believes this forward-thinking approach will help solve South Africa’s immigration challenges. He stressed that the EFF’s policies, although ahead of their time, will eventually be recognized as necessary for the country’s future.
Deportations Are a Waste of Resources
Malema criticized the current practice of deporting foreigners in South Africa. He argued that the process is costly and ineffective, as deported individuals often return within days. According to him, millions of rands are spent each year on these deportations, which only result in foreigners re-entering the country.
Instead of wasting resources, Malema suggested that the government focus on documenting foreigners in South Africa and integrating them into the formal economy. The country could improve security, generate tax revenue from foreign workers, and ensure they contribute to social services.
Xenophobia Must End
Malema was also critical of the xenophobic attitudes towards **foreigners in South Africa**. He argued that those who oppose the presence of foreign nationals are in denial about the country’s reality. **Foreigners in South Africa** are already here, he said, and attempts to remove them will be futile.
The EFF leader called for a more humane approach to immigration. He reminded South Africans that during the apartheid era, many African nations supported South Africa’s liberation, and it is time to show gratitude by embracing **foreigners in South Africa** today.
South Africa’s Future Depends on Foreign Labor
Malema concluded by warning that the country’s economy and infrastructure would suffer without the contributions of **foreigners in South Africa**. He argued that the country’s education system, construction, and essential services all depend on foreign labor to some extent.
By documenting foreigners in South Africa, Malema believes the country can create a more inclusive economy, benefitting both locals and foreign workers. In contrast, deportation efforts are costly and ineffective, ultimately harming the country.
In his view, shifting the focus from deportation to documentation is the most sustainable way to address the presence of foreigners in South Africa, read more news as it happens here
