Women Forced to Leave South Africa by Anti-Migrant Protests

South African authorities reported a surge of anti‑migrant demonstrations in the past year, with large crowds targeting foreign workers and residents. Two Zambian women who had settled in the country for employment opportunities told Deutsche Welle that the protests forced them to abandon their homes, jobs and community ties. They described how the violence and hostility made it impossible to continue living safely in South Africa, prompting an urgent departure.

The women left behind the infrastructure and support networks they had built over several years. Upon returning to Zambia, they faced the daunting task of re‑establishing their lives from scratch, including securing housing, employment and re‑integrating into local communities that had been unaware of their previous hardships. Their accounts highlight the broader impact of the unrest on migrant populations, who often find themselves abruptly displaced and without the resources to rebuild.

The situation underscores the need for more robust protection for migrants in regions experiencing heightened xenophobia. While the women have begun to rebuild, their stories illustrate the long‑term personal and economic costs of anti‑migrant sentiment and the importance of policies that safeguard vulnerable populations.