South Africa's migrant deadline

For many undocumented migrants in South Africa, the past few weeks have brought uncertainty and fear about what lies ahead.

South Africa is the continent’s most developed economy, attracting people from poorer countries seeking work. But it also has a high rate of unemployment – almost one in three are without jobs. Although (officially) foreigners make up some 6% of the population, many more migrants are believed to be in the country without papers.

Protestors have told them they have until the end of June to leave, and some countries have already been repatriating their citizens.

In our conversations, we bring together migrants to share their experiences of rising tensions. We also hear from those who have decided to return and South Africans who want an end to illegal migration.

“For us to fix this country of ours, we have to secure our borders,” Olivier tells host James Reynolds. “People here illegally either they are criminals, or they are suffering in the process or they’re just getting a whole bunch of stuff for free and not contributing.”

Presenter: James Reynolds
BBC producers: Lindsay Brown, Ben Davis, Akwasi Sarpong and Angela Sheeran
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editor: Arja Haikonen

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC World Service Outside Source team.

(Photo: Ghanaians arrive with their luggage at the airport as Ghana repatriates hundreds of its citizens from South Africa May 27, 2026.Credit: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)