The Acting Consul-General of South Africa in Lagos, Ms. Kgothatso Xulu, has firmly rejected the characterization of her country as xenophobic, following a recent wave of violence against African migrants. Speaking at the 47th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society of International Law, Xulu revealed that 364 individuals have been arrested in connection with these attacks, emphasizing that such incidents should not define the entire nation.

During her address at the conference, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria Island, Lagos, Xulu defended South Africa against broad generalizations stemming from the recent violence. "I wouldn’t be doing my country any justice if I don’t actually address and defend that South Africa is not xenophobic and we reject, we completely reject what is happening," she stated. She highlighted the need to understand that the violent incidents are not representative of the South African populace or its government.

Xulu acknowledged the challenges of irregular migration and service delivery in South Africa but urged African nations to tackle the root causes of migration. She questioned why many Africans opt to leave their home countries instead of seeking opportunities for trade and business expansion within the continent. "If we want to really have an Africa that we see viable, it has to be that our people are not leaving our homes because of economic emancipation, but rather we are leaving our homes to say that I would like to trade," she remarked.

The diplomat linked these migration issues to the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which aims to foster trade among African nations and create a unified market. She stressed that trade should focus on economic growth opportunities rather than merely serving as a means of survival.

In her remarks, Xulu also defended South Africa's constitutional right to peaceful protests, explaining their significance in the country's historical struggle against apartheid. She clarified that protests should not be automatically deemed violent simply due to their scale or visibility. "The Constitution says peaceful protests for South Africans are allowed. This is how we were partly able to win and be able to push the apartheid government, because our people protested," she said.

Xulu cautioned against the dangers of misinformation and fake news, which can distort perceptions of South Africans. She urged for more structured discussions on migration, xenophobia, and economic cooperation among African nations, calling on Nigeria to take a leadership role in these conversations at future meetings of the Nigerian Society of International Law.

Moreover, she emphasized the importance of greater African participation in international law and governance, asserting that such engagement would empower the continent to safeguard its interests and influence global policies. "Entering into the space of international rules means that Africans are able to make decisions for themselves," she concluded, encouraging younger Africans to embrace their role in shaping the continent's future.