MTN Group Chairman Condemns Xenophobia, Says 'South Africa is Nothing Without the Rest of Africa'

Mcebisi Jonas, the chairman of MTN Group, a leading African telecommunications company, delivered a scathing attack on xenophobic violence and anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa on June 26, 2026.

He made the remarks at the funeral of Thokozani Damasane, a Zimbabwean-born activist who had relocated to South Africa post-apartheid. Jonas, a former Deputy Minister of Finance, turned private-sector leader, placed responsibility for the crisis squarely on the South African government, arguing that weak law enforcement and failing systems have created fertile ground for political manipulation. 'The problem is the failure of the state,' he said. 'The state doesn't manage immigration. It doesn't manage its borders. It doesn't enforce law enforcement. It doesn't manage education.

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Jonas also offered a sharp historical critique of tribalism and ethno-nationalism, describing them as colonial inheritances designed to divide African people. 'The tribe is a product of colonial powers,' he argued, noting that ethnic divisions were historically amplified to enforce indirect rule. 'You would see in the streets, it's no longer about whether you are from South Africa or not from South Africa. It's about the tribe, it's about who you are, you are not like us, and you are different, and therefore we have to persecute you.'

Jonas criticized liberation movements, including South Africa's own, for sustaining ethnic divisions for political gain. 'Liberation movements still sustain this thing of tribes – Zulu and Xhosa – and we sustain this thing as if it is real. It is in our heads. We're creating it because it makes us feel big. Identity politics – we must banish them in our country. Ethno-nationalism is something that in this country we must banish.'

Jonas reflected on the life of Damasane, who had immersed himself deeply into the struggles of South Africans and became one of them. 'In Damasane's strength, our strength as South Africa and South Africans are reflected. And in his weaknesses, our own weaknesses are reflected.'

The MTN Group Chairman emphasized that South Africa's economic growth and future are inextricably tied to the rest of the continent. 'We are a nation embedded in Africa,' he concluded. 'And without Africa, our growth as a country – economically – our fortune is intertwined with the growth of Africa. South Africa is nothing without Africa. And Africa is nothing without South Africa… We cannot judge people by their origin. We cannot determine the legal status of people by their origin.'

'Foreigners can leave tomorrow – inequality will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – unemployment will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our police will remain corrupt. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our politicians will still be concerned with one thing: being elected and re-elected.'

The MTN Group Chairman's passionate speech shed light on the deeper issues driving xenophobia in South Africa, highlighting the need for the country to address its internal problems and move away from ethnic divisions.