By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday evening, 07 June 2026 at 18:00 regarding government’s approach to illegal migration.
The anti-foreigner protests have spread across the country in recent days, with flare-ups in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.
Speaking during the Presidency Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Ramaphosa outlined government’s plans to strengthen immigration enforcement.
“As we work to build a safer, more stable and more prosperous society, we need to address the challenge of migration. When it is well managed and regulated, migration can help drive growth and opportunity for South Africans.”
“However, we need to deal with illegal migration. We have seen how illegal immigration can put pressure on our public services and undermine our efforts to create decent work,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa’s comments come as surveys show that anti-foreigner sentiment continues to grow. At the same time, groups such as March and March continue to gain traction and pressure the government to take a stronger stance on immigration.
March and March, has set a deadline of 30 June for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
Several groups have raised concerns that the anti-foreigner movements and protests, which tap into grievances over unemployment, crime and overcrowded public services, could have deadly consequences, as seen in multiple xenophobic flare-ups since the 2008 attacks, in which 62 people were killed.
“Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening address the nation on the government’s management approach to illegal migration and the recent surge in protests against foreign nationals,” the Presidency said in a statement issued on Sunday morning.
The address will take place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
According to public opinion data recently released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), anti-foreigner sentiment has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, with 42% of respondents now saying they would not welcome any immigrants to the country.