“From Freedom Fighter to Xenophobic Tyrant: How South Africa Betrays Africa”

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In an age where Africa must rally around unity, economic collaboration, and cross-border development, it is both tragic and outrageous that a political leader in South Africa has emerged to champion a campaign that echoes the darkest ideologies of the past. Gayton McKenzie, the Mayor of Central Karoo and leader of the Patriotic Alliance, has become the face of xenophobic populism in South Africa. His “Abahambe” doctrine; which means “Let them leave” in Zulu meaning is not just a rallying cry; it is a ticking time bomb threatening the very fabric of African brotherhood.

By targeting African migrants, particularly Nigerians and Zimbabweans, McKenzie is doing more than playing politics. He is weaponizing fear, scapegoating economic migrants who, contrary to his claims, often create their own jobs, employ others, and contribute to the local economy. This is not a movement of patriotism. It is a movement of prejudice, one that resembles, in language and tone, the early stages of fascist regimes.

Dangerous Rhetoric, Dangerous Consequences
History offers sobering lessons. Leaders who have failed to deliver prosperity often manufacture enemies. Adolf Hitler, in the 1930s, blamed Germany’s woes on Jews and used propaganda to dehumanize them. We all know where that road led.

McKenzie’s playbook is eerily similar. Rather than confront South Africa’s systemic failures and rampant corruption, deteriorating infrastructure, and chronic unemployment, he blames African migrants. This redirection of public anger is a cynical political strategy. It is easier to inflame crowds than to fix roads, hospitals, or schools. But such strategies come with deadly consequences.

This is no longer just a political platform. It is incitement. His speeches have inspired violence: shops looted, homes burnt, and lives lost. These are not isolated incidents they are the direct results of a narrative that paints migrants as enemies, not neighbors.

African Migrants: Job Creators, Not Job Thieves
Contrary to McKenzie’s inflammatory claims, the overwhelming majority of African migrants in South Africa are self-employed. They run salons, corner shops, logistics companies, restaurants, and even tech startups. They work tirelessly, not because South Africa gave them jobs, but because they were forced by circumstances to create their own. They compete not for state resources, but for survival.

Studies by the Human Sciences Research Council and other institutions have repeatedly shown that immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs than locals; a fact also observed across Europe and the United States. In inner cities across Johannesburg and Cape Town, it is often foreign-owned businesses that provide services and employment in neglected areas.

So when McKenzie screams “Abahambe,” he is not just targeting undocumented migrants. He is threatening people who pay rent, taxes, school fees — and employ South Africans too.

Nigeria’s Historic Role: A Debt South Africa Must Honor
That Nigerians are a central target of this campaign is not only unjust; it is profoundly insulting. Nigeria was one of the fiercest opponents of apartheid. From 1960 to 1994, the country invested billions in today’s value, over $60 billion in supporting South Africa’s liberation. The Nigerian government funded the African National Congress (ANC), hosted its exiles, trained its soldiers, and spearheaded global sanctions against the apartheid regime.

Nigerians paid a “Mandela Tax” to fund the anti-apartheid movement. They were barred from international events, ostracized diplomatically, and made enormous economic sacrifices, all in the name of African freedom.

As Desmond Tutu once said, “We are because you are. Our liberation was your victory too.”

To now see Nigerians vilified in South Africa is to watch the knife twist in a wound still healing from the scars of colonialism and racial segregation.

South African Businesses Thrive in Nigeria
While McKenzie accuses foreigners of exploitation, the economic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa tells a different story. South African companies have thrived in Nigeria without facing the kind of hatred that migrants now endure in South Africa.

MTN Nigeria—the crown jewel of the MTN Group contributes more than a third of the group’s global profit. Shoprite, DSTV (Multichoice), Stanbic IBTC, and others have enjoyed a warm reception in Nigeria. They’ve grown into household names, making millions in a competitive but welcoming market.

Would McKenzie prefer these companies to be driven out of Nigeria in retaliation? Can he account for the jobs that would be lost both in Nigeria and South Africa if this economic partnership collapses?

In diplomacy, as in economics, respect must be mutual.

A Threat to Pan-African Progress
McKenzie’s divisive politics do not only endanger MIGRANTS, they threaten the very soul of Africa. At a time when the African Union is pushing for deeper integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), when regional blocks are forming to combat poverty, disease, and terrorism, McKenzie’s ideology is a setback. It is a rejection of unity in favor of isolation. It is a throwback to the colonial mindset of “divide and rule.”

The real enemies of South Africa are not the foreign-born Africans struggling to make ends meet. The enemies are inequality, corruption, misgovernance, and disinvestment. No Nigerian or Zimbabwean created Eskom’s energy crisis. No Ethiopian migrant siphoned billions through state capture. The problems are internal. The solutions, too, must be.

Voices of Reason Must Rise
As former Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah famously said, “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart.” Those words ring true now more than ever. Africa needs leaders who speak of unity, who understand the value of cooperation not populists who exploit pain for power.

South African civil society, journalists, trade unions, and faith-based organizations must rise and reject McKenzie’s brand of hatred. Silence is complicity, and complicity is guilt. Xenophobia, if unchecked, will destroy not only the lives of migrants but also the moral standing of South Africa as a leader on the continent.

International organizations, too, must speak up. The African Union must investigate whether the “Abahambe” campaign amounts to incitement under international law. The United Nations should monitor the human rights situation in affected communities. Hate speech is not free speech especially when it costs lives.

A Future Worth Building Together
Africa’s youth; its greatest resource must understand that collaboration, not confrontation, is the key to prosperity. With a shared market of 1.3 billion people and untapped resources, the future is bright only if we work together. We must reject demagogues who preach division and embrace leaders who champion innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate. If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”

Let us teach that love now through policy, protest, and unity.

In conclusion: Africa’s Moral Test
Gayton McKenzie is not just a politician. He is a test; for South Africa’s democracy, for Africa’s unity, and for the conscience of every black person on the continent. If we allow his hate-filled rhetoric to spread unchecked, we risk not just more violence, but the unraveling of everything Africa has worked to build since independence.

But if we meet his hatred with courage, unity, and law, then we will have turned this dangerous chapter into a moment of reckoning. Let McKenzie’s campaign be remembered not as the movement that broke Africa, but as the spark that finally woke it up.

Africa must choose: hatred or hope, division or dignity.

Let us choose wisely.

UK Based Enagic Independent Distributor, Funmi Oluwole Promotes Made in Japan Kangen Water Ioniser Machine.

Kangen Water Machine from Japan is a game-changer designed to turn your tap water into Ionised Alkaline water and provide antioxidant rich drinking water globally.

Speaking in Lagos recently, a United Kingdom based Enagic Independent Distributor, Mrs Funmi Oluwole, highlighted that the machine, equipped with an advanced ionisation system, is designed to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for the people worldwide.

Oluwole emphasized that the Kangen machine is perfectly suited for homes, offices, and communities in Nigeria. According to her, the machine features an energy-efficient and eco-friendly design.

She describes the machine as compact, durable, and constructed for long-lasting performance. “With its advanced filtration system, this machine removes impurities, contaminants, and bacteria from water, runs the water through its platinum plates and provides ionised Alkaline water for everyone. It detoxicate the system and reduces the risk of waterborne diseases to provide improved overall health,” she stated.

The Independent Distributor explained that the machine, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Nigerian communities, offers excellent customer support and after-sales service.

Oluwole added that the machine uses platinum dipped titanium plates. Alkaline water, produced by the Kangen water ioniser machine, helps cleanse toxins and strengthens the human system’s ability to combat diseases.

Although the machine has been in existence for over 50 years, it made its debut in Nigeria in 2022. The company operates office outlets in Lagos and Abuja.

According to the company’s manual, the machine delivers delicious water via a three-layered, high-power filter capable of processing approximately 6,000 litres of water. “These powerful filters are effective for approximately twelve months of general use. The three-layered filter removes contaminants such as lead, chlorine, effluvium, rust, and other debris while retaining essential minerals,” the manual states.

Double Honour for Dr. Ambassador Sonnia Agu

*Named among MPADs Global Top 40under 40 for humanity &Activism

*Also listed Among Africa’s Leading Women by Crest Africa.

Dr. Ambassador Sonnia Agu status continues to rise as the delectable woman was recently honored among MIPAD’s Global Top 40 Under 40 for Humanity & Activism

And just when she was still basking in euphoria of that laudable achievement, she was also named among African’s Leading Women by Crest Africa.

In a remarkable acknowledgment of her global impact, Dr. Ambassador Sonnia Agu, Founder and CEO of Sapio Group, has been named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) – Global Top 40 Under 40, in the Humanitarian and Activism category for the Class of 2025.

Recognized in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), the prestigious MIPAD list celebrates high achievers of African descent from around the world who are making notable contributions to their communities and fields.

Dr. Sonnia Agu has long stood at the intersection of purpose and impact, championing causes that empower women, youth, and underserved communities across Africa. Through SapioWorks, SapioFoods, and G1st International Foundation, she has revolutionized access to employment, food sustainability, and social support systems, especially in Nigeria.

This award not only honors her resilience, innovation, and humanitarian dedication, but also marks her as a beacon for the next generation of African leaders determined to transform systems from the inside out.

Speaking on her achievement, Dr. Agu expressed:
“This honor isn’t just for me—it’s for every young African who dares to dream, every woman who refuses to be boxed in, and every voice that’s yet to be heard. Our work continues. Africa rises.”

As the world takes note of emerging leaders of African descent, Dr. Sonnia Agu’s inclusion in the MIPAD Class of 2025 further cements her legacy as a powerhouse of purpose, proving once again that true influence begins with service.

Dr. Ambassador Sonnia Agu also been named among Africa’s Leading Women by Crest Africa.

Renowned humanitarian, social innovator, and entrepreneur Dr. Ambassador Sonnia Agu has been recognized as one of Africa’s Leading Women by Crest Africa, a prestigious honor celebrating exceptional women shaping the future of the continent.

Featured under the theme “Where Men Sit, Women Lead”, the edition spotlights powerful voices driving change across Africa’s media, leadership, and business landscapes. Dr. Agu, the visionary Founder & CEO of Sapio Group, continues to break barriers through her transformative work in employment empowerment, food sustainability, and community development.

With over a decade of impact-driven leadership, Dr. Agu’s influence spans multiple sectors—from launching SapioWorks, a pioneering gig-economy platform tackling youth unemployment, to founding G1st International Foundation, which champions grassroots development and social justice. Her fearless advocacy and commitment to humanity have made her a respected force both locally and globally.

The Crest Africa feature also acknowledges her as a SHERO shaking the continent, applauding her trailblazing legacy among entrepreneurs, change-makers, and media icons.

In her words:
“Leadership is not about position—it’s about purpose. And for African women, that purpose burns brighter than ever. We are no longer waiting for space—we’re creating it.”

As the world looks to Africa’s next generation of female leaders, Dr. Sonnia Agu stands tall—unapologetically bold, relentlessly compassionate, and fiercely committed to rewriting the narrative of what African women can and will achieve.