Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, has sparked controversy with remarks about Miss South Africa finalist, Chidimma Adetshina’s mixed heritage. Adetshina has faced xenophobic comments, but both she and the Miss SA organisation have stood their ground, affirming her eligibility to compete in the pageant as a South African citizen. Political figures and social media users have weighed in on the debate, highlighting the complexities of national identity in South Africa.
Hermanus, a quiet coastal town in South Africa, was recently struck by a horrific crime that led to a series of unfortunate events. The discovery of a young girl’s mutilated remains in a plastic bag has not only shaken the community but sparked xenophobic attacks and displaced hundreds of foreign nationals.
Several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in South Africa have teamed up to tackle the issue of racism and xenophobia in the country. They have taken a legal stand against Operation Dudula, an antiforeigner campaign that has been deemed controversial due to its xenophobic rhetoric and practices. Led by the SocioEconomic Rights Institute (SERI), the coalition comprises Abahlali Basemjondolo, Inner City Federation, South African Informal Traders Forum, and Kopanang Africa.
In April 2021, the Gauteng High Court in South Africa ruled that free public health services must be provided to pregnant women and children under six years old, regardless of nationality or documentation status. The ruling resulted from a case brought by SECTION27, a public interest law center, on behalf of women who were denied access to care. However, many immigrant women, especially those from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, still struggle to register for prenatal care.
