South Africa’s migration debate is missing the bigger picture
by Marisa Lourenço
South Africa’s migration debate often focuses on border control, documentation and xenophobia, while paying less attention to the conditions that drive migration across the African continent. This article argues that economic stagnation, political instability and limited opportunities in neighbouring countries are central to understanding migration patterns. It examines South Africa’s own social and economic challenges, the political use of anti-immigration rhetoric, and the regional dynamics that shape migration flows. The article calls for a broader conversation that addresses both the realities facing migrants and the structural conditions that compel many people to leave their homes.