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Cyril Ramaphosa warns against xenophobia in Freedom Day speech
President Ramaphosa condenms xenophic attack
Cyril Ramaphosa used his Freedom Day address in Mangaung, Free State, to confront rising tensions around immigration, urging South Africans not to let frustration turn into hostility toward fellow Africans.
Speaking on the anniversary of the country’s transition to democracy, Ramaphosa reminded citizens of the role the continent played in South Africa’s liberation, stressing the importance of preserving that unity.
“It cannot be, and it must never be, that we trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible,” he said.
His remarks come amid recent anti-immigrant protests and reports of violence targeting foreign nationals.
While acknowledging public concerns around illegal migration, Ramaphosa cautioned against allowing those issues to fuel prejudice.
“We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans,” he added.
The president also outlined steps being taken by government, including efforts to tackle corruption within the immigration system and clamp down on businesses employing undocumented individuals.
“We are actively rooting out corruption in our immigration system. We will not allow people to take the law into their own hands,” he said.
“We extend hospitality to those who are guests in our country, with the expectation that generosity is honoured with respect for our society and its laws.”
Beyond immigration, Ramaphosa turned his attention to domestic challenges, warning that the promise of freedom loses meaning if it does not translate into better living conditions for citizens.
He pointed to failing municipalities, poor service delivery and deteriorating infrastructure as urgent issues holding the country back.
“The truest test of our democracy is whether freedom translates into material change in people’s lives,” he said.
“Failing water infrastructure, collapsing municipalities and deteriorating services are not mere inconveniences. They directly affect the quality of daily life.”
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to economic reform, job creation and poverty reduction, while defending broad-based black economic empowerment policies as necessary tools to address historical inequality.
“The progress we have made is evident… but this is not enough. There is much more that needs to be done,” he said, adding that efforts are underway to strengthen these policies to make them more effective.
Ramaphosa also paid tribute to struggle veteran Mosiuoa Lekota, honouring his contribution to the country’s freedom.
We are a people who live the value of ubuntu.
We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 27, 2026
