In the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address, Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Jan de Villiers has welcomed the President’s clear stance that South Africa’s economic woes are not caused by foreign nationals—but by systemic failures to grow the economy and create jobs.
Speaking in response to the address, De Villiers emphasized that the message was timely and critical, describing the current moment as “a dangerous time for the country.” He reiterated the DA’s position that xenophobia must be rejected outright and that constitutional values must be upheld, even amid widespread economic hardship.
“South Africans must reject xenophobia. We must uphold our constitutional values and we must never allow anger over the hardships of the economy to become violence against vulnerable people,” De Villiers said.
The DA also expressed support for lawful efforts within the Government of National Unity (GNU) to restore order, secure borders, and fix broken systems contributing to illegal migration. De Villiers specifically praised the work of Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, calling for his initiatives to strengthen immigration control, improve documentation, and secure borders to be “welcomed and strengthened.”
However, the DA MP stressed that long-term solutions hinge on urgent economic reforms. “The deeper answer to this crisis is jobs, economic growth, and a capable state,” he said, underscoring the need to fix infrastructure and unlock economic opportunities to combat unemployment.
De Villiers warned against the politicization of migration issues, asserting that the rule of law must prevail. “People must be in South Africa legally, and the law must be enforced by the state—not by mobs, vigilantes, or politicians who seek to stoke hatred or gain votes,” he stated.
He went further to demand accountability, saying, “Anybody who incites violence against foreign nationals—including political leaders—must be arrested and prosecuted,” reaffirming that all citizens and leaders alike are bound by the Constitution.
The DA’s response aligns with its earlier statement by party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, which described Ramaphosa’s address as delivering “the right message at a dangerous time.”
