In the wake of recent anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, tens of thousands of Malawians have returned home, creating significant economic and social challenges in their native communities. Since June, approximately 90,000 immigrants have been either deported or fled South Africa, with Malawians constituting the majority, according to South African authorities.

The district of Mangochi in eastern Malawi, a key source of migrant labor to South Africa for decades, has been particularly affected by this sudden influx. Many returnees left South Africa hastily, abandoning belongings and reliable incomes that had supported their families through remittances. Malawi, characterized by widespread poverty—with about 70% of its population living on less than $2.15 per day—now faces increased pressure on its local economies and services.

In Mangochi, businesses ranging from small convenience stores to wire transfer outlets report sharply reduced activity. Returnees, long accustomed to regular income abroad, now confront a local economy heavily dependent on subsistence farming and limited informal trading. Mechanic Imraan Cassim, who worked in South Africa for 15 years earning around $1,500 monthly, has seen his income drop to zero since returning to Mangochi in May. He has exhausted most savings and expressed uncertainty about the future. Others, like his sister Eliza Osman, face dwindling customers and the challenge of sustaining small-scale ventures.

Food insecurity has also become widespread. Families often subsist on nsima—a traditional corn porridge—and boiled vegetables, with meat reserved as an occasional luxury. Basic goods such as soap and cooking oil have become harder to afford. Despite these difficulties, many returnees remain reluctant to go back to South Africa, citing fears of renewed violence and hostility towards foreigners.

Local commentators note that Mangochi has a longstanding culture of migration and trade, largely driven by the Yao ethnic group, which has historically sent workers to South African mines and other labor markets. The social impact of the recent reversals is significant; some returnees, once economically prominent, now face stigmatization and mental health struggles. Clergy and social workers warn of rising anxiety and depression linked to diminished prospects and social status.

There are also concerns about potential security risks. With few local opportunities, some young men may be vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups operating in neighboring Mozambique. Religious and community leaders emphasize the need for support and development initiatives to address these vulnerabilities.

Nevertheless, amid the hardships, efforts to maintain cultural traditions and social cohesion continue. A recent festival celebrating Yao cultural rites drew a larger crowd than usual, with participants expressing a sober mixture of pain and resilience. Returnee Yusufu Mustafa, who came back in May, reflected the sentiment: “Of course it’s painful because we don’t have money. But we celebrate together.”

As Malawi grapples with the reintegration of thousands of displaced workers, the long-term economic and social effects remain uncertain. The government has faced criticism for limited support to returnees, while local communities strive to adapt to the shifting realities of a disrupted migration economy.