‘South Africans are not xenophobic’ — Vusi Thembekwayo

South African entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo dismissed narratives branding South Africans as xenophobic, urging African nations to focus on economic unity. Speaking at The Platform Nigeria 2026, he highlighted South Africa's demographic diversity, with over 60 million people and 11 official languages. Thembekwayo also pointed out that many of the largest companies in South Africa are led by executives from across the continent, contradicting claims of systemic exclusion.