Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, has called for cooperation and unity as tensions involving foreign nationals continue to raise concerns in South Africa.
Speaking in a video statement on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said South Africans are “inherently not against people from other nations,” stressing the country’s shared history and identity.
He said, “Troubling issues such as what we have experienced in South Africa, which I have spoken about, that South Africans inherently are not against people from other nations. We are one people, we have always been one people. “
The president acknowledged concerns around security and immigration, noting that authorities must balance the protection of foreign nationals with the concerns being raised by citizens.
He said, “We’ve got to also pay heed to the security of those from other countries who are in South Africa, but also pay heed to the concerns that are being raised by South Africans. “
Ramaphosa disclosed that he had discussed the issue with Daniel Chapo, with both leaders agreeing on the need for collaboration to address the situation.
“President Chapo and myself discussed this matter and we agreed that we should work together,” he said.
He further noted that migration-related tensions affect several countries across the continent and require a collective response.
“It’s not only one country that is affected and all countries that have foreign nationals in South Africa are also affected as South Africa is affected, so we must all work together, join hands to find solutions to this problem.,” he said.
