New research from the Human Sciences Research Council shows that South Africans are becoming significantly less tolerant of immigrants, with frustration rising due to economic hardship, unemployment and crime.
The findings come amid growing public anger over undocumented immigration and a surge in anti-immigration activism seen across the country.
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Speaking on Cape Talk and 702, Dr Steven Gordon, HSRC's chief research expert, said attitudes towards migrants have changed dramatically over the past two decades.
The Council's South African Social Attitudes Survey has tracked public opinion on migration since 2003.
“By the end of 2025, about 15% said they welcomed all international immigrants, about 41% said they welcomed some, and 42% said they welcomed none,” Gordon said.
He said that while South Africans were far more divided on the issue in 2003, support for immigrants was spread more evenly across the population.
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Anti-immigrant sentiment rising in key provinces
According to the HSRC, anti-immigrant sentiment has risen sharply in provinces including Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Gordon said the strongest growth has been among poor and working-class South Africans.
“The bulk of this negative trend occurred during the post-COVID recovery,” he said.
He linked this change to concerns over rising costs of living, high unemployment, de-industrialization, and crime.
“South Africans seem to blame international migrants for these problems,” Gordon said.
The research also found that more South Africans are associating undocumented immigrants with issues such as unemployment and criminal activity.
Concern over xenophobic violence
The discussion follows several recent immigration enforcement operations across South Africa.
Authorities recently stopped buses, cracked down in Johannesburg and dealt with a protest by hundreds of foreign nationals in Durban.
Gordon warned that rising anti-immigrant attitudes could increase the risk of violence.
“South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence,” he said.
“Until you solve the issue of anti-immigrant sentiment, you will never solve the problem.”
He said public attitudes often influence behavior, leading to concerns about growing intolerance and potential conflict between communities.
South Africans distinguish between legal and undocumented immigrants
Gordon said HSRC research showed that South Africans hold a strong distinction between documented and undocumented migrants.
He said negative views toward undocumented immigrants were far stronger, while legal immigrants were viewed more positively.
“South Africans generally have a very negative opinion of undocumented migrants,” he said.
The discussion also touched upon the perceptions of immigrants from different countries and regions.
Gordon said that many countries develop “common imaginary migrants” tied to specific nationalities or ethnic groups.
He said similar patterns are visible in South Africa, where hostility is often directed more strongly at African immigrants from countries such as Zimbabwe and Nigeria than at immigrants from Europe or elsewhere.