MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas, has criticised the rising wave of xenophobia in South Africa, describing growing hostility toward foreign nationals as a symptom of state failure and poor governance being exploited for political gain.
Jonas made the remarks at the funeral of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant, Thokozani Damasane, where he urged South Africans to reject divisive narratives and embrace shared humanity amid ongoing tensions over migration and unemployment.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance said it was troubling to witness renewed calls for foreigners to leave South Africa, especially while paying tribute to a man who had dedicated much of his life to serving the country.
Reflecting on Damasane’s life, Jonas questioned the meaning of belonging and identity in modern society.
“I was thinking, what is home to Damasane?
“I understood very early in life that home is where humanity is. Home is about humanness. It is about the good of humanity and striving for the good of humanity, ” he said.
He described Damasane, who was born and educated in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa during the post-apartheid era, as an example of cross-border contribution and integration.
According to him, the late activist fully immersed himself in South Africa’s democratic journey and became an integral part of its civic and social development.
“He immersed himself deeply into the struggles and pains of South Africans, and he became one of us.
“In Damasane’s strength, our strength as South Africans is reflected, and in his weaknesses, our own weaknesses are reflected, ” he said.
Jonas argued that blaming migrants for South Africa’s socio-economic challenges amounts to scapegoating and diverts attention from deeper structural issues such as unemployment, inequality, poverty and weak service delivery.
He said xenophobia has increasingly been used as a political tool to channel public frustration rather than addressing systemic governance failures.
As chairman of MTN Group, which operates in multiple African countries, Jonas has consistently advocated for regional integration, economic cooperation and stability across the continent.
He reiterated that South Africa’s long-term progress depends on building an inclusive society rooted in justice, opportunity and respect for human dignity, warning against narratives that pit citizens against foreign nationals.
Jonas urged leaders and citizens alike to prioritise unity over division, stressing that Africa’s challenges require collaboration rather than hostility.
