麻豆社

For many undocumented migrants in South Africa, the past few weeks have brought uncertainty and fear about what lies ahead.

South Africa is the continent鈥檚 most developed economy, attracting people from poorer countries seeking work. But it also has a high rate of unemployment 鈥� almost one in three are without jobs. Although (officially) foreigners make up some 6% of the population, many more migrants are believed to be in the country without papers.

Protestors have told them they have until the end of June to leave, and some countries have already been repatriating their citizens.

In our conversations, we bring together migrants to share their experiences of rising tensions. We also hear from those who have decided to return and South Africans who want an end to illegal migration.

鈥淔or us to fix this country of ours, we have to secure our borders,鈥� Olivier tells host James Reynolds. 鈥淧eople here illegally either they are criminals, or they are suffering in the process or they鈥檙e just getting a whole bunch of stuff for free and not contributing.鈥�

Presenter: James Reynolds
麻豆社 producers: Lindsay Brown, Ben Davis, Akwasi Sarpong and Angela Sheeran
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editor: Arja Haikonen

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the 麻豆社 World Service Outside Source team.

(Photo: Ghanaians arrive with their luggage at the airport as Ghana repatriates hundreds of its citizens from South Africa May 27, 2026.Credit: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)