AFRICANS SEEK SHELTER AS XENOPHOBIC TENSIONS RATTLE SOUTH AFRICA

FEAR and uncertainty have gripped migrant communities in South Africa as foreign nationals continue to seek safety amid rising xenophobic tensions that have left many stranded and desperate for protection.

Among those affected are Malawian nationals who have been forced to leave their homes and are now seeking shelter in open spaces around Durban as they wait for assistance from authorities and humanitarian organisations.

The stranded migrants said they were living in fear after being threatened by groups demanding that foreigners leave their communities.

A Malawian man, who could be heard speaking to this publication and asking for help, said the situation had left him traumatised after spending years building a life in South Africa.

"We came here to work and support our families back home. We never came to cause problems. We are Africans like everyone else and we are only asking to be safe," he said.

He said many migrants are now sleeping in parks with limited access to food, shelter, and basic services.

"We left our homes because we were afraid. We are carrying only the things we could take. We do not know where we will go next," he said.

A Malawian woman among the stranded migrants said the situation had been painful, especially for families with children.

"We left because we feared for our lives. Children are scared and they do not understand why they have to sleep outside. We came here looking for a better future, not to fight anyone," she said.

The tensions have been fuelled by calls from some groups demanding that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa by June 30, with accusations that migrants are responsible for unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services.

However, the situation has triggered widespread concern across Africa, with many questioning whether frustration over economic challenges should result in attacks on fellow Africans.

The developments come as South Africa commemorates Youth Day, which remembers the 1976 generation of students who stood against apartheid oppression.

The irony has not escaped observers who say a day dedicated to fighting discrimination and injustice is unfolding amid scenes of Africans being targeted because of their nationality.

The 1976 youth uprising became a symbol of courage and sacrifice as young people challenged a system built on exclusion and inequality.

As the crisis continues in Durban, the eyes of the region remain on South Africa as authorities face pressure to protect vulnerable communities while addressing immigration concerns through lawful processes.