Political analyst Sipho Seepe has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to be more candid with his regional counterparts, arguing that friendship should not prevent him from addressing governance failures contributing to illegal immigration and other challenges facing South Africa.
Seepe was responding to Ramaphosa’s recent apology over incidents of xenophobia, saying the President missed an opportunity to use the SADC Summit in Durban to have a frank discussion with leaders from neighbouring countries.
According to Seepe, South Africa needs to acknowledge the causes of the regional migration crisis rather than focusing solely on condemning xenophobic behaviour.
He said Ramaphosa should have addressed both sides of the issue by acknowledging that the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa can damage regional solidarity, while also confronting the factors driving migration.
Seepe said neighbouring countries remain important partners and should not be viewed as enemies. He pointed to their historical contribution to South Africa’s economy, particularly in the mining sector, where workers from across the region played a significant role.
He also argued that South Africa’s domestic problems, including high unemployment and economic stagnation, are closely connected to wider regional conditions.
While acknowledging the importance of solidarity among SADC member states, Seepe said this should not prevent leaders from holding one another accountable.
He argued that regional summits should provide an opportunity for honest conversations about governance, economic conditions and the responsibilities of governments towards their citizens.
Seepe said acknowledging that neighbouring countries are friends and fellow members of the anti-colonial struggle should go hand in hand with taking responsibility for problems within individual states.
He believes a frank discussion about the underlying causes of migration would not necessarily fuel xenophobia, but could instead contribute to finding sustainable regional solutions.
For Seepe, true regional friendship requires leaders to speak openly when their counterparts are failing, rather than limiting discussions to expressions of solidarity.