Organized xenophobic protests erupted across major South African cities this week, raising concerns about coordinated efforts to stoke anti-migrant sentiment amid a charged political climate. The demonstrations targeted migrants from other African countries, reflecting a broader trend of “Afrophobia” that analysts say has been orchestrated with outside influence rather than emerging from grassroots mobilization.

Professor Jo Vearey of the African Centre for Migration & Society at the University of the Witwatersrand described the protests as distinctly different from past incidents, citing a high level of organization and significant financial backing behind the nationwide marches. “This isn’t sort of a grassroots mobilisation, this is something that is a very clearly organised and manipulated space,” Vearey said. The movement’s reach into mainstream discourse was underscored by a meeting convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa with protest organisers on the eve of Tuesday’s demonstrations in an effort to reduce tensions.

Herman Wasserman, a political media expert at Stellenbosch University, characterized the movement as “inauthentic,” driven in part by online tactics involving bots and influencer networks to spread disinformation and foment division. He described the recent gatherings not merely as protests but as violent xenophobic outbursts, which tend to resurface during election years when political parties capitalize on such issues for popular support.

Several groups have been identified as central to fueling the anti-migrant campaign. The March and March movement, which describes itself as a citizen-led effort advocating for stricter immigration enforcement, plans to hold weekly protests over six months aimed at removing undocumented migrants. Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the group, has been vocally promoting these actions. The MK Party, established in 2023 under former President Jacob Zuma, has also been accused of aligning with the organisers. Meanwhile, the opposition party ActionSA and its leader Herman Mashaba have faced criticism for amplifying false claims, including a now-debunked assertion that South Africa hosts 15 million undocumented migrants.

Although the precise sources of funding remain unclear, Vearey suggested that these political groups are likely supporting the protests financially. Wasserman pointed out that the anti-migrant agenda has been co-opted by political actors, embedding xenophobic rhetoric firmly on the national agenda. Both analysts warned that the leaders of these movements appear to be exploiting xenophobia for “cheap political gain” rather than addressing underlying social issues.

Experts also highlighted how the rise in xenophobic violence is linked to a global climate of increasing hostility toward foreigners, a trend that has gained dangerous legitimacy in recent years. Reflecting on the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who decades ago lamented the hatred of foreigners, Wasserman said the current wave of xenophobia contradicts the inclusive vision Mandela championed, expressing disappointment over society’s failure to heed his warnings.