By Ayomide Otitoju
Prominent South African entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo has urged the global community to avoid generalising reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa, saying isolated incidents should not define the country’s broader social character.
Speaking at the 2026 edition of The Platform Nigeria event held to mark Workers’ Day, Thembekwayo, founder and CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, said it was important to separate sporadic unrest from the identity of the nation as a whole.
“Contrary to what you see in the media, South Africans are not xenophobic,” he said, while acknowledging that xenophobia exists in parts of society.
He warned against narratives that, in his view, deepen divisions. “I believe there is an agenda to turn us against each other,” he said, adding that such tensions are often amplified through public discourse.
Thembekwayo noted that while foreign-owned businesses, including those operated by migrants from countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia and Somalia, have been affected during episodes of violence, these incidents do not represent the wider population.
He pointed to South Africa’s diversity, with more than 60 million people and 11 official languages, as evidence of coexistence.
“We are one of the most diverse societies in the world, and even though that is the case, we get along with most people,” he said.
The entrepreneur also called for greater community engagement and dialogue to rebuild trust and reduce tensions. “We as a people have to do better,” he said, urging citizens to avoid hostility and divisive rhetoric.
He further suggested that religious and community institutions could play a stronger role in promoting reconciliation and unity, encouraging individuals to “be the light” in addressing harmful behaviour.
“Let us avoid the theatre of the rest of the world, saying, ‘you see these people, they can’t get along with themselves,’” he added.
