As anti-foreigner protests spread, migrants face a choice: hope the protests, threats and violence subside or leave South Africa.
James Allen, 30, sits at Park Station in Johannesburg on Thursday, June 4, 2026, waiting for a bus to Malawi with four of his friends.
“I'm leaving because of the anti-immigrant protests. My mother is calling me back home. I think it's time for me to listen to her,” he said.
“I have no choice, I'm leaving. It won't help me to wait and see what happens first. We know what will happen. I think it's safest for me to go home.”
As anti-foreigner agitation has been building throughout the year and has intensified over the past two weeks, migrants like Allen face a tough choice: hope the protests, threats and violence subside or leave South Africa.
Daily Maverick interviewed 10 foreign migrants in Johannesburg on Wednesday and Thursday and asked if they faced increased threats ahead of the March and June 30 deadlines for undocumented migrants to leave the country, and what their plans are.
March and March have not clearly stated their plans for what will happen on June 30.
The Daily Maverick did not question his immigration status and no one agreed to photograph him out of fear. Some requested…