Nigeria, June 19 -- As countries mark World Refugee Day on 20 June, antagonism towards foreigners globally is at an all-time high. In South Africa, World Refugee Day falls 10 days before the 30 June deadline set by the anti-migrant movement 'March and March' for 'undocumented' foreign nationals to leave the country, and businesses to terminate their employment.
Since April, anti-migrant protests have erupted countrywide, resulting in migrant deaths, property destruction and displacement. None of this is new to South Africa. Since 2008, hostilities against African migrants have erupted in multiple waves of violence that the government has dismissed as isolated incidents rather than a systemic social problem.
Anti-migrant sentiment, past an...