Rising attacks against African migrants in South Africa have triggered widespread concern among Nigerian tourism professionals, who warned that the trend could undermine African unity, trade partnerships and regional tourism growth.
Stakeholders blamed worsening poverty, unemployment, political tension and ignorance for the growing hostility against foreign Africans, particularly Nigerians living in South Africa.
The issue came under intense scrutiny during Villa Square, a special segment of Cr8tive 9ja, a tourism and cultural programme aired on Mainland 98.3 FM in Lagos.
The programme, anchored by tourism journalist Frank Meke alongside Bunmi Bade Adeniji, focused on the theme, “Afrophobia: A Threat to Africa’s Unity, Trade and Tourism.”
Speaking during the discussion from Abuja, Susan Akporiaye urged Africans to embrace tolerance, cultural sensitivity and mutual respect.
Akporiaye observed that certain cultural misunderstandings may have contributed to tensions between some South Africans and Nigerian communities, citing reports surrounding the installation of an Igbo traditional leader in Durban.
According to her, some Zulu groups allegedly interpreted the development as interference with local customs, given the high reverence attached to the Zulu monarchy within South African traditional structures.
She however insisted that no disagreement should justify attacks, killings or destruction of properties belonging to fellow Africans, urging Cyril Ramaphosa to strongly condemn the violence and reassure foreign nationals of their safety.
Also speaking, Okorie Uguru described the profiling of Africans based on nationality, tribe or religion as dangerous and unacceptable in any modern society.
A youth tourism advocate, Bolaji Seun, lamented persistent immigration bottlenecks faced by African travellers across the continent, saying regional integration within Africa remains weak despite years of economic cooperation efforts.
Seun noted that negative personal experiences involving a few individuals are often unfairly used to stereotype entire nationalities, thereby deepening hostility against Nigerians in South Africa.
From South Africa, Wole Oyebade linked the recurring attacks to growing political tension, economic hardship and election related rhetoric within the country.
He noted that opposition groups in South Africa have increasingly blamed immigration policies for rising crime and unemployment, a situation he said has fueled public resentment against migrants.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Nigeria Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council, Nkereweum Onung, warned that envy and economic frustration are worsening hostility against African migrants, adding that continued attacks could eventually damage South African business interests across Africa.
Similarly, President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, Bolaji Mustapha, disclosed that some tour operators have suspended the promotion of South African destinations, warning that continued Afrophobia attacks may significantly hurt tourism, regional trade and Africa’s broader economic integration agenda.