"I moved to Southern Africa because of their infrastructure," Fifi, a 21-year-old Ghanaian footballer who plays for Bucks Buccaneers in the Namibia Premier League, told DW. After the football season ended, he was in South Africa on holiday when he was caught up in the anti-immigrant protests. Fifi was among a group of Ghanaians who were recently repatriated to Ghanafrom South Africa.
South Africa has long been a destination for migrants across Africa. It offers many economic opportunities and relative political stability. It is no wonder that South Africa hosts one of the largest migrant populations on the African continent.
According to Stats SA, the national statistical agency of South Africa, an estimated 3.3 million immigrants live in the country. That's about 5.1% of the population of 65 million. Other estimates, including undocumented migrants, place the figure significantly higher.
Data show that most migrants in South Africa come from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Under SADC rules, citizens of member states can stay in South Africa visa-free for a maximum of 90 days. But ensuring that visitors leave after 90 days is one of the key triggers of recent anti-migrant protests.
