A viral video circulating widely across social media has reignited intense debate on xenophobia (xenofobia), migration, and African unity after a South African influencer was seen confronting a Ghanaian migrant and telling him to “go back to your country and fix your country, we don’t want you people here.”
The incident, which has drawn thousands of reactions across Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, shows the woman—identified by online users as South African influencer and activist Queen Vee, also known by some as Victoria Africa—engaging in a heated confrontation with a Ghanaian man believed to be residing in South Africa.
In the now-viral clip, Queen Vee, accompanied by a group of locals, questioned the Ghanaian migrant about his presence in the country, his immigration documents, and why he had chosen to remain in South Africa rather than return home. The exchange quickly escalated into a broader criticism of African migration into South Africa.
Speaking firmly in the video, the influencer argued that African migrants should stop relocating to other countries and instead remain in their nations to solve local problems and contribute to national development.
“We are fixing this continent. This thing of you people moving from one country to another is no longer working. We don’t want this as African people anymore,” she said.
She further stated, “We want you to fix your countries now. You came here with a travelling document, with a passport. You know you are a visitor, but now you decided to come and integrate in our communities. We don’t want you here.”
Her comments immediately sparked accusations of xenophobia, with many social media users describing the language as discriminatory and hostile toward fellow Africans. Critics argued that the remarks reflect a dangerous pattern of xenofobia that has repeatedly surfaced in South Africa over the years, often leading to violence against foreign nationals.
Several users condemned the statement, saying migration within Africa is often driven by economic hardship, insecurity, political instability, and lack of opportunities in migrants’ home countries. According to them, blaming migrants ignores the larger failures of governance across the continent.
Others highlighted what they described as hypocrisy, noting that South African businesses operate freely across countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, benefiting from African markets while some citizens reject the presence of fellow Africans at home.
One social media user wrote, “When South African companies enter other African countries, it is called expansion. But when Africans come to South Africa to survive, suddenly they are unwanted.”
Another added, “Africa stood with South Africa during apartheid. Many countries supported them politically and economically. This kind of xenofobia against Africans is shameful.”
The reference to apartheid has become a central part of the online backlash, with many recalling how nations like Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, and Tanzania supported South Africa’s liberation struggle during years of racial segregation and oppression.
However, some South Africans defended Queen Vee’s position, arguing that rising unemployment, poverty, crime, and pressure on public services have increased frustration among citizens. They insist that immigration control and documentation are legitimate concerns and should not automatically be dismissed as xenophobia.
Supporters say the government’s failure to properly manage borders and migration policies has created tension between locals and foreign nationals, especially in poorer communities where competition for jobs and resources is high.
Human rights advocates, however, warn that language such as “we don’t want you people here” can easily encourage hostility and violence. South Africa has experienced several waves of xenophobic attacks in the past, with migrants from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and other African countries facing assaults, looting, and even death.
Political analysts say the incident reflects a much deeper continental problem. They argue that poverty, corruption, poor leadership, and economic inequality across African nations continue to force migration, while weak policies and rising nationalism increase resentment in destination countries.
As the video continues to trend online, it has become more than just a social media controversy—it has reopened difficult questions about Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and whether the dream of African unity can survive growing divisions among Africans themselves.
For many observers, the incident serves as another painful reminder that xenophobia remains one of the most serious threats to African brotherhood, and unless both migration challenges and economic inequalities are honestly addressed, such tensions may continue to grow across the continent.
