National Campaign Launched to Confront Xenophobia, Defend Unity and Redirect Anger Against the Real Causes of the Crisis

By Zaki Mamdo
Activists

Community organisations, trade unions, civil society formations and concerned members of the public draw the line against xenophobia, scapegoating and division

Following a public online mass meeting held on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, attended by more than 300 people representing a wide range of organisations, social movements, trade unions, community formations, activists and concerned members of the public, a national campaign has been initiated to confront the rising tide of xenophobia, Afrophobia, ethnic chauvinism, right-wing reaction and organised hate in South Africa.

The meeting was convened in response to escalating threats against migrants and vulnerable communities, including threats of coordinated action leading up to, on and after 30 June by right-wing and xenophobic formations. Participants expressed deep concern at the growth of organised street intimidation, online hate campaigns, vigilante activity and the increasing normalisation of hateful anti-migrant politics in public discourse.

This campaign, endorsed and supported by over 120 organisations, emerges from the urgent necessity to confront xenophobia, Afrophobia, ethnic chauvinism, reaction and fascist intimidation; to defend working-class unity; and to ensure that the legitimate anger of our communities is directed not against migrants and the poor, but against the political and economic elites responsible for this crisis.

Read the full statement attached:

15 June 2026 – National Campaign Launched to Confront Xenophobia