South African women have taken to the streets to protest against xenophobia and the deportation of foreign workers, warning that removing skilled migrants could lead to factory closures and widespread job losses for locals who depend on the industry.
The protest, led by women working in the clothing and textile sector, saw demonstrators carrying banners with messages such as 'No to Xenophobia' and 'Foreigners Must Stay.' They argued that foreign workers are essential to keeping factories operational and preserving employment opportunities for both migrants and South Africans.
Protesters Reject Claims That Foreigners Take Jobs
Speaking during the protest, one woman rejected the narrative that foreigners are stealing jobs from locals. 'We are here today, we're trying to save our jobs,' she said. 'When they are taking the foreigners away, that's the foreigners who are giving us jobs. We won't have jobs.'
The women explained that many foreign workers are skilled machinists whose expertise is difficult to replace. 'Most of the foreigners are machinists. We don't have local machinists,' one protester stated, dismissing claims that enough South Africans are available to fill those roles.
Employers Struggle to Retain Local Workers
According to the protesters, employers have faced challenges recruiting and retaining local workers for specialized factory positions. They claimed that many South Africans hired often leave shortly after joining, while experienced foreign workers remain and help maintain production lines.
One woman, who has worked in a factory for nearly five years, warned of severe consequences if foreign workers are deported. 'If you chase them, we are nothing. The factories are going to be closed, and we are going to be poor, we are going to be hungry. We have children. What are our children going to eat?' she said.
Appeal to President Ramaphosa
The demonstrators directly appealed to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging the government to abandon policies that could result in mass removals of foreign workers. 'Mr Ramaphosa, you can't chase the foreigners. They are part of us, they are our people,' one protester said.
The women emphasized that their protest was not only about protecting migrants but also about safeguarding local livelihoods. 'We are South Africans, we say no to xenophobia,' one declared. 'We need foreigners.'
Context of Immigration Debate
The protest occurs amid renewed debates in South Africa over immigration, employment, and the role of foreign nationals in the economy. Anti-immigration groups argue that foreigners take jobs from locals, while supporters of migrant workers say many sectors depend on specialized skills and labor that are difficult to source locally.
Far from viewing foreigners as competitors, the protesters see them as co-workers and contributors to industries that support their families. Their message was clear: removing foreign workers would not solve unemployment but could instead deepen economic hardship for many South Africans already struggling to make ends meet.
