Informal traders operating in Johannesburg’s inner city have called for more coordinated government intervention following renewed incidents of Afrophobia that have disrupted livelihoods, heightened insecurity and strained community relations in parts of South Africa’s economic hub.
In areas such as Hillbrow and the Johannesburg central business district, traders say growing tensions linked to protests over undocumented migration and economic hardship have affected both South African and foreign owned businesses. Vendors interviewed by The Southern African Times described an atmosphere of uncertainty that has interrupted trade and weakened customer activity in one of the country’s busiest informal commercial centres.
Miriam Dlamini, a South African vegetable trader who has worked in Hillbrow for nearly a decade, said the recent climate has altered relationships that previously existed between traders from different African countries.
“We used to work side by side without major problems. Recently there has been more fear and mistrust, and that affects everybody who depends on daily trade,” she said.
According to reports from local community organisations and regional media monitoring groups, protests linked to migration policy and economic pressures have taken place in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban since late April. In some instances, demonstrations reportedly escalated into looting, intimidation and attacks targeting foreign nationals and businesses associated with migrant communities.
South Africa has experienced recurring waves of anti migrant violence over the past two decades, notably during major outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019. Those episodes resulted in deaths, displacement and economic losses across several provinces, drawing condemnation from governments across the African continent and prompting diplomatic engagement through regional and bilateral channels. Information published by the South African Government and reporting from the African Union have repeatedly emphasised the need for social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Foreign nationals working in the informal sector say the latest tensions have once again exposed the precarious nature of urban livelihoods.
Joseph Mwamba, a trader originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said uncertainty often spreads quickly through trading districts.
“Rumours travel fast. Shops close suddenly and people run because they fear violence or looting. Many of us are simply trying to earn a living and support our families,” he said.
Researchers and civil society organisations have argued that public frustration linked to unemployment, inequality and crime has increasingly intersected with negative perceptions about migration. South Africa continues to face one of the highest unemployment rates globally, particularly among young people, according to data published by Statistics South Africa.
At the same time, migration scholars and regional economists note that migrant owned enterprises contribute significantly to township and inner city economies through retail trade, logistics, food distribution and informal employment networks. Analysts from institutions including the Institute for Security Studies have cautioned against simplistic narratives that frame migration as the sole driver of economic hardship.
Sipho Nkosi, who sells clothing in central Johannesburg, said episodes of violence undermine the wider commercial ecosystem rather than benefiting local traders.
“When tensions rise, customers disappear and everyone loses income regardless of nationality,” he said.
Community leaders and advocacy groups operating in Hillbrow have similarly warned that persistent instability risks weakening social cohesion in one of Johannesburg’s most densely populated districts. Several have called for expanded community dialogue programmes involving residents, migrant associations, religious institutions and local authorities.
Others have urged stronger law enforcement responses to criminal activity while emphasising that social tensions cannot be resolved through policing alone.
Liberty Manunure, another trader working in the inner city, said public education and community engagement remain essential.
“People need to understand that many African migrants are also contributing to the economy and supporting families across the continent. We need solutions that bring communities together,” he said.
The South African government has consistently condemned violence directed at foreign nationals and has introduced initiatives aimed at strengthening social cohesion. However, critics across civil society and academia argue that implementation has often been uneven and that structural economic challenges continue to fuel frustration in vulnerable communities.
The issue has also drawn diplomatic concern from several African governments whose citizens live and work in South Africa. Nigeria and Ghana have previously raised concerns regarding the safety of their nationals during periods of unrest. During earlier outbreaks, Nigerian authorities coordinated voluntary repatriation efforts for affected citizens while also encouraging continued diplomatic engagement with Pretoria.
For many traders in Johannesburg, however, the immediate concern remains the preservation of peace and economic stability in communities where African migrants and South Africans have long lived and traded alongside one another.
Chinedu Okafor, a Nigerian trader selling mobile phone accessories in downtown Johannesburg, said the future of African urban economies depends on cooperation rather than division.
“We are Africans living and working together in the same cities. Our economies and communities are connected. Peace and mutual respect are necessary for everyone to move forward,” he said.
As debates around migration, economic inequality and public safety continue across South Africa, traders and community leaders say durable solutions will require both accountable governance and broader efforts to strengthen solidarity across African societies navigating shared economic pressures.
