South Africa has reaffirmed its appreciation to Nigeria for supporting the anti-apartheid struggle, while promising to strengthen relations despite renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
The assurance was given on Monday in Abuja when South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, met with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Lamola said President Cyril Ramaphosa asked him to deliver a special message to President Bola Tinubu. Although Tinubu delegated the meeting to Enikanolaiye, discussions focused on the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
The South African minister described Nigeria’s contribution to ending apartheid as historic, saying the sacrifices made by Nigerians would never be forgotten.
“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice,” Lamola said.
He stressed that South Africa rejects xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and all forms of intolerance.
Lamola, however, said his country has a responsibility to enforce immigration laws and combat crimes such as drug trafficking, internet fraud and illegal migration. He added that migration is a continental issue that requires cooperation under the African Union framework.
Responding, Enikanolaiye said President Tinubu directed that the meeting should openly address the repeated attacks on Nigerians, warning that the incidents threaten the long-standing relationship between both countries.
He urged South African authorities to take stronger action against Afrophobic attacks, revealing that 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related violence since 2022, while five deaths have been recorded this year.
The minister said Nigeria does not support criminality but insisted that anyone accused of an offence should face prosecution through the courts rather than mob justice.
Enikanolaiye also questioned why security agencies allegedly failed to stop several attacks, noting that many victims were legally resident in South Africa.
He disclosed that nearly 1,500 Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa this year, describing the situation as heartbreaking.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want,” he said.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to cordial relations with South Africa, expressing confidence that continued dialogue would rebuild trust and strengthen cooperation between both nations.
