What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to analyze anti-immigrant attitudes and behaviors in South Africa in the context of the National Action Plan.

May 25, 2026Open Access

Combating anti-immigrant hate: public voices and government response

Key Points

This research aims to analyze anti-immigrant attitudes and behaviors in South Africa in the context of the National Action Plan.
Analyzed data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) series from 2015 to 2018.
Assessed the effectiveness of the National Action Plan to Combat Racism and Xenophobia.
Identified gaps in anti-xenophobia programming based on contemporary attitudes.
Found that anti-immigrant sentiment remains significant in South Africa.
Identified a need for more detailed anti-xenophobia programs to effectively combat hate.
Highlighted the importance of public voices in shaping government response.

Abstract

The National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (hereafter the NAP) outlines a broad based strategy to combat anti-immigrant hate crime1 in South Africa. However, the NAP is on the whole only a technical framework and the development of more detailed anti-xenophobia programmes is needed. To assist with the creation of such programmes, this policy brief examines anti-immigrant attitudes and behaviours in South Africa. Contemporary data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) series (2015 to 2018) is used for this analysis.

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