South Africans and Migrants - Study Tracks the Barriers to Being Good Neighbours

South Africa has made progress in integrating immigrants into local communities, with an estimated 2.4 to 3.1 million foreign-born residents, accounting for about 4% to 5.1% of the population. However, suspicion and tensions between locals and immigrants persist, with xenophobic violence and protests occurring in 2026. An African art historian conducted a study on residents' satisfaction with their immigrant neighbors through dialogues in three areas with high immigrant populations. Her research, published in a book, also addresses issues of representation, social integration, and the political economy of migration.