Chairman of MTN group, Mcebisi Jonas, has strongly condemned growing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa, declaring that “South Africa is nothing without the rest of Africa.”
Jonas made the remarks while addressing concerns over xenophobia and hostility toward African migrants living and working in South Africa. His statement comes amid renewed debate over immigration, unemployment and periodic violence targeting foreign nationals, particularly migrants from countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Somalia and Ethiopia.
According to the MTN chairman, South Africa’s economic and social development cannot be separated from the broader African continent. He stressed that the country has historically benefited from African solidarity and continues to depend on regional cooperation for trade, investment and long-term growth.
“South Africa is nothing without the rest of Africa,” Jonas said, warning that anti-immigrant rhetoric risks damaging both national unity and continental relations. He argued that attempts to isolate South Africa from its neighbours ignore the country’s deep historical and economic ties to the continent.
His comments also referenced the role African nations played during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. Many African governments offered political support, shelter to exiles and diplomatic pressure that helped weaken the apartheid regime before democracy was achieved in 1994 under Nelson Mandela.
Jonas said forgetting that shared history would be dangerous. He noted that South Africa’s freedom struggle was not won in isolation and that the country owes part of its democratic success to the sacrifices of other African nations.
The MTN chairman also warned that xenophobia could hurt business confidence and economic integration across Africa. As one of Africa’s largest telecommunications companies, MTN operates in multiple countries across the continent, including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon. He said cross-border cooperation remains essential for African businesses seeking scale and competitiveness in the global economy.
Anti-foreigner tensions in South Africa have resurfaced several times over the years, often driven by frustrations over unemployment, crime and economic hardship. Critics of xenophobic attacks argue that foreign nationals are frequently scapegoated for broader structural problems such as poverty and weak service delivery.
Human rights groups and civil society organisations have repeatedly urged South African authorities to tackle hate speech and violence directed at migrants. They maintain that many foreign nationals contribute significantly to local economies through entrepreneurship, labour and investment.
Jonas’ remarks have drawn attention across the continent, with many seeing them as an important call for unity at a time when Africa is pushing for deeper economic cooperation through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
His message reinforces a broader argument that Africa’s future depends not on division but on stronger regional collaboration, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
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