MANGOCHI, Malawi — Tens of thousands of Malawians who fled South Africa amid a recent wave of anti-immigrant violence have returned home, confronting severe economic hardship in their native country. The influx of returnees has strained local resources in Mangochi, a district in eastern Malawi, where many formerly sustained families through wages earned abroad.

Prior to the exodus, Malawians in South Africa often earned steady incomes that provided basic necessities, schooling, and support for extended family members. For example, one man, previously employed as a security guard in Johannesburg, earned approximately $1,500 monthly, much of which was remitted to his wife, children, and other relatives in Malawi. Since returning, many like his sister, 21-year-old Eliza Osman, have struggled to maintain livelihoods, running small businesses such as convenience stores that now see fewer customers and insufficient revenue to replenish stock.

Local markets remain active with traders selling goods ranging from gasoline and clothing to dried fish, but overall economic conditions have deteriorated. Many families reportedly subsist on limited diets centered on nsima, a sticky corn porridge, supplemented by boiled vegetables, with meat considered a rare luxury. The cost of everyday essentials, including soap and cooking oil, has become increasingly prohibitive.

Malawi faces systemic economic challenges, including minimal industrial output, heavy reliance on imports, and vulnerability to external shocks such as droughts and fluctuating fuel prices. Critics of the Malawian government point to inadequate investment beyond agriculture and weak fiscal management. Some observers say that official efforts to assist returnees have fallen short amid the mounting pressures.

For individuals like 24-year-old Yusuf Hafana, the economic squeeze is personal. Hafana, who sells bicycles stocked through traders returning from South Africa, reports rising prices for goods and declining customer demand. He now relies on loans from friends and family to cover school fees for his children.

Mangochi’s history is marked by a culture of migration and trade, tracing back to early Arab merchants. The predominantly Yao community has long embraced risk-taking ventures across Africa, particularly South Africa, where many men worked in mining during apartheid and thereafter. According to Rev. Simon Mundisiye, social services director for the Catholic diocese in Mangochi, those who returned home face psychological strain, with some experiencing anxiety and depression after losing their elevated status within the community.

Concerns have also emerged about the potential for disenfranchised youth to be drawn toward militant groups operating in neighboring Mozambique, where Islamic State affiliates are active. Promises of resources and anti-government rhetoric have reportedly fueled recruitment efforts in the region.

Economically desperate returnees express a willingness to face ongoing risks in South Africa. For instance, 28-year-old Jeffrey Malemia, who formerly worked in a textile factory in Durban earning around $200 monthly, now performs irregular jobs insufficient to support his family. He aspires to return despite having been undocumented previously and facing financial barriers, such as the cost of obtaining a passport.

Despite these challenges, community life persists. A recent cultural festival near Mangochi brought hundreds together to celebrate traditional Yao rites of passage, blending modern Afrobeats with local ballads. Among participants was 40-year-old Yusufu Mustafa, back from South Africa since May, who reflected, “We celebrate together now. Of course it’s painful because we don’t have money. But we celebrate together.”