Why Nationals from Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe Feel at Home in South Africa.

 

Why Nationals from Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe Feel at Home in South Africa.

Nationals from Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe often view South Africa as an extension of their homeland, fostering a sense of entitlement to stay due to historical, cultural, and economic ties. Colonial borders split ethnic groups, creating shared identities across nations. Basotho and Swazis, for instance, share languages and customs with South Africans, while Zimbabweans cite shared anti-apartheid struggles.

Economically, South Africa’s opportunities draw migrants. Lesotho’s enclave status and Eswatini’s limited economy push citizens southward, with many Basotho historically working in South African mines. Zimbabweans, fleeing crises since the 2000s, seek work or asylum, though programs like the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit ended in 2023, risking deportations.

Land claims fuel tensions. Basotho claim parts of the Free State and other provinces, lost during 19th-century colonial conflicts, with Lesotho’s parliament pushing for reclamation in 2023–2025. Swazis, under King Mswati III, assert rights over Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, with the Border Restoration Committee active as of May 2025. These claims, rooted in pre-colonial control, remain unresolved.

Xenophobia and calls for stricter borders clash with these sentiments, as seen in recent political rhetoric. Dialogue is needed to balance historical ties with South Africa’s sovereignty, preventing escalation.