MTN Chairman Mcebisi Jonas Blasts Xenophobia, Says South Africa Needs Africa

MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas has delivered a scathing criticism of xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric in South Africa, saying the country’s economic future cannot be separated from the rest of the African continent.

Jonas made the comments while speaking at the funeral of Zimbabwean-born activist Thokozani Damasane, where he addressed issues of immigration, inequality and political manipulation.

The former Deputy Finance Minister dismissed suggestions that expelling foreigners would resolve South Africa’s challenges.

“Foreigners can leave tomorrow – inequality will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – unemployment will be with us,” Jonas said.

He argued that corruption, unemployment and insecurity are rooted in state failure rather than immigration.

“The problem is the failure of the state,” he said, accusing authorities of failing to properly manage borders, policing and public institutions.

Jonas warned that frustrated citizens often become easy targets for politicians seeking power through divisive narratives.

“Some of them have no credibility whatsoever. But they lead marches and tell our people that the problem is not us – it is foreigners,” he stated.

The business leader also criticised tribalism and ethno-nationalism, describing them as products of colonial rule that continue to divide African societies.

“The tribe is a product of colonial powers,” he said.

According to him, xenophobic violence has increasingly shifted from nationality-based discrimination to ethnic persecution.

“It’s about the tribe, it’s about who you are, you are not like us, and therefore we have to persecute you,” Jonas said.

He further criticised liberation movements for maintaining ethnic divisions for political purposes.

“Identity politics – we must banish them in our country,” he added.

Jonas used the life of Thokozani Damasane to highlight the importance of African solidarity and shared identity.

“He immersed himself deeply into the struggles, into the pains of South Africans, and he became one of us,” Jonas recalled.

Concluding his remarks, Jonas stressed that South Africa’s prosperity depends heavily on Africa’s collective growth.

“South Africa is nothing without Africa. And Africa is nothing without South Africa,” he declared.

“We cannot judge people by their origin.”

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