A Congolese man, Rev. Dr. Kamwenda Mukala, who is married to a South African woman, has written a heartfelt post about how xenophobia is affecting his son's mental health. This comes as the deadline set by anti-migrant activists for foreigners to leave South Africa draws near.
Anti-migrant groups set deadline
The anti-migrant group March and March, along with opposition party ActionSA and others, have set June 30, 2026, as the deadline for what they call "undocumented migrants" to leave the country.
A son's heartbreaking question
According to Mukala, on Tuesday, June 16, his son asked him: "Dad, on the 30th of June, are you also leaving us? Since they don't want foreigners in South Africa?"
Dr. Mukala said the question broke his heart and highlights the trauma and fear that xenophobia, violent rhetoric, and actions of certain individuals have created in innocent children born to African parents of different nationalities.
Mukala's message to xenophobic individuals
In his post, he addressed xenophobic and afrophobic individuals directly: "Look at the trauma and fear that your words, actions, and attitudes are creating in innocent children born from African parents of different nationalities. Many children are now growing up confused and afraid, wondering whether their fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, friends, or classmates belong here."
He noted that what started as political slogans against illegal immigration has turned into hatred and hostility toward fellow Africans who are living, working, investing, worshipping, and raising families in South Africa.
A call for compassion and unity
"We must remember that behind every nationality is a human being, a family, and a child who deserves to live without fear," Mukala wrote. He urged Christians to love their neighbors and treat others with dignity.
He prayed for healing of hearts filled with hatred, fear, xenophobia, and afrophobia, and for replacement with love, understanding, and unity. "Love unites. Hatred divides," he said, adding that it is impossible to be filled with the Holy Spirit and deliberately hate people because of where they come from. He concluded: "One Africa. One Humanity. One Family."
