South Africa faces recurring xenophobic hostility toward other Africans, with Somalis among the most severely targeted. Tensions stem from competition for informal spaza shops, high unemployment (~25%), and negative political rhetoric about immigration.
Somalis number ~32,000 documented individuals and are the 2nd-largest asylum-seeker group after Zimbabweans. During the 2008 xenophobic riots, ~60 died and 50,000–100,000 foreigners were displaced. Somalis report facing violence more than other groups—many say they fear SA violence more than war at home.
Somalis dominate township spaza shops, often selling at lower prices. Locals accuse them of undercutting and stealing jobs. Daily hostility includes the derogatory term “makwerekwere,” shop looting, arson, robbery, and gang extortion. Somalis also report being denied refugee/asylum documents despite international protections.
As of May 2026, anti-immigrant groups issued ultimatums and threatened raids, with rising anti-Somali rhetoric.
Why this happens: High unemployment fuels blame of foreigners. Political campaigns promote deportations of African immigrants. Cultural differences (Somalis are predominantly Muslim in a mainly Christian country) add friction.
South Africa hosts millions of African migrants but repeated xenophobic violence draws international condemnation. Somalis remain disproportionately impacted due to visibility in informal trade and distinct cultural identity.
