Know Afrika

Reports emerging on social media describe fresh violence in Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni, on July 9, 2026, as tensions between South African residents and Ethiopian and Somali nationals boiled over once again. According to circulating accounts, South African residents refused to surrender the town to foreign nationals, with Ethiopians and Somalians reportedly demanding that local South Africans leave the area. Violence broke out between the two communities as the standoff escalated. Anti-immigration protest in Durban, South Africa, on June 30, 2026. Dunnottar Has Been Here Before This is not Dunnottar's first flashpoint. In May 2026, residents took to the streets demanding law enforcement verify the legal status of foreign nationals and inspect their shops , following the alleged killing of a local teenager identified as Lesedi, who residents believe was beaten to death in February by a group of undocumented foreign nationals. Eight undocumented immigrants were arrested during those prot...

As South Africa grapples with a surge in anti-migrant violence , the Nigerian government has reported that two of its nationals were killed in separate incidents on June 28, 2026. These fatalities occurred during a period of heightened volatility, leading up to an unofficial "deadline" set by anti-immigration activists for foreigners to leave the country. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the victims as Musa Yunana Joe, who was killed by unidentified attackers in front of his shop in the city of eMalahleni, and Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who died following an encounter with Tshwane Metro Police in Pretoria. The Nigerian consulate has officially condemned the killings, describing them as deeply disturbing and calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding both deaths. Nigerian nationals repatriated from South Africa, following concerns about unrest, arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, June 3...

Amid escalating anti-foreigner marches and a highly volatile socio-political atmosphere, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation to announce an aggressive migration crackdown. In a major shift from previous policies, the government will now seek criminal prosecution and prison sentences for business owners who illegally hire undocumented workers. Ramaphosa emphasized that authorities can no longer allow guilty executives to simply pay a fine and continue exploiting undocumented foreign nationals in violation of domestic statutes. This unprecedented legislative pivot targets the economic incentives driving migration. In his official statement, President Ramaphosa detailed a comprehensive approach to managing illegal immigration , aiming to defuse street-level tensions while simultaneously protecting local labor standards from systemic corporate exploitation. President Cyril Ramaphosa in his speech  says in tackling illegal immigration, government will be 'ste...

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has formally called upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to investigate what he describes as "systemic and state-sanctioned" xenophobic violence in South Africa. As of May 21, 2026, the petition comes amid a terrifying surge in targeted attacks, killings, and institutional discrimination against Nigerian nationals and other African migrants. People armed with spears, batons and axes in Johannesburg’s Katlehong Township during a new wave of anti-foreigner violence. Why is Femi Falana calling for an international investigation? In my opinion, the domestic legal avenues within South Africa have failed to provide adequate protection for foreign nationals. I suspect that the reported deaths of Nigerians including Amamiro Chidierbere Emmanuel on April 25, 2026 at the hands of security personnel signify a dangerous shift from mob violence to state-sponsored aggression. Falana’s petition ...

In my opinion, the planned "countrywide shutdown" on May 4, 2026, is a mechanical necessity for a political class that has failed to deliver on its promises. I believe that by scapegoating foreign nationals for the general breakdown of the rule of law and economic decline, local movements are effectively burying the legacy of Pan-Africanism. I suspect that the rise of groups like "Concerned Citizens and Voters" and "March and March" represents a shift from fringe vigilantism to a mainstream protectionist surge that seeks to bypass the Constitution entirely. Stones and bricks are seen on a street on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Monday Sept. 2, 2019. Police had earlier fired rubber bullets as they struggled to stop looters who targeted businesses as unrest broke out in several spots in and around the city. Is South Africa headed toward a "Civil War" over migration? I suspect the rhetoric used by anti-immigrant groups, who claim a mass repatriatio...

In a significant shift for global energy geopolitics, South Africa is currently exploring a massive deal with Iran to construct a new nuclear power plant. The project aims to add 2,500 megawatts of capacity to South Africa's struggling power grid. If finalized, this would mark Iran’s first-ever international nuclear power project, signaling a new era for Tehran’s "civilian" nuclear program. A nuclear power plant in an undisclosed place in Iran. Why is South Africa looking to Iran for nuclear energy? In my view, South Africa’s interest in Iranian nuclear technology is a desperate but calculated move to solve its chronic energy crisis . By turning to Iran, Pretoria is bypassing traditional Western vendors, likely seeking more favorable financing or a strategic partnership that avoids the stringent conditions often imposed by the US or Europe. Read more on our previous article about South Africa and its nuclear facility ⚠️ 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 ⚠️ 🇮🇷🇿🇦 | Iran in Ta...

South Africa holds a unique place in global history as the only country to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program. This bold decision, made in the early 1990s, continues to spark debate about sovereignty, morality, and global security. Let’s explore why this choice was made, what it meant for the world, and whether it remains relevant today. South African Nuclear program, Nuclear Museum Why Did South Africa Build Nuclear Weapons in the First Place? During the Cold War, South Africa faced both internal unrest and external threats. The apartheid regime feared isolation and possible military intervention from neighboring states supported by the Soviet Union. Nuclear weapons were seen as a deterrent, a way to project strength and ensure survival. By the late 1980s, South Africa had developed six nuclear devices, but the weapons were never tested or deployed. Why Did South Africa Decide to Dismantle Them? The decision to dismantle the arsenal was driven by a combination o...