South Africa marked this year’s Nelson Mandela Day amid growing tensions over immigration and the meaning of Mandela’s legacy. For anti-immigration group March and March, the day was for identifying and removing undocumented migrants from communities in the Eastern Cape, Mandela’s home province, rather than performing the traditional 67 minutes of community service. However, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and other critics condemned the campaign, saying it contradicts Mandela’s commitment to human dignity, dialogue, and constitutional values. The dispute reflects broader frustrations over high unemployment, inequality, and weak public services, with the group blaming migrants for the country’s challenges. While authorities have intensified immigration enforcement, government officials and ANC veterans insist xenophobia is not the solution. The controversy underscores an ongoing national debate over how Mandela’s ideals should guide South Africa as it confronts economic hardship and deepening social divisions.
Al Jazeera