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 - Mamelodi News

Nationals from Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe often see South Africa as an extension of their homeland, rooted in deep historical, cultural, and economic ties that transcend colonial borders. These connections foster a sense of belonging and shared destiny, underscoring the urgent need for greater unity among SADC nations to harness them for mutual prosperity.

Colonial borders arbitrarily divided ethnic groups with shared languages, customs, and histories. The Basotho people span Lesotho and South Africa's Free State, while Swazis connect across Eswatini, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. Zimbabweans share anti-apartheid struggles and cultural overlaps with northern South African communities. These pre-colonial ties create natural affinities, where migrants feel at home rather than foreign.

South Africa's opportunities draw many: Lesotho's enclave status and reliance on mining jobs, Eswatini's limited economy, and Zimbabwe's crises since the 2000s drive migration. Remittances sustain families, while South Africa gains labor. Recent extensions of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) to May 2027 reflect ongoing recognition of these needs.

Historical grievances persist. Lesotho claims parts of the Free State and adjacent provinces lost in 19th-century conflicts, with ongoing advocacy including parliamentary debates and UN petitions. Eswatini, under King Mswati III, renewed claims in 2025 via a Border Restoration Committee targeting Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. These reflect colonial injustices but risk tensions without collaborative resolution.

Xenophobia and border rhetoric clash with these realities, yet shared heritage offers strength. SADC's frameworks, like trade protocols, labor migration initiatives, and efforts toward free movement, provide tools for integration. By advancing the Protocol on Employment and Labour (signed by more states including Eswatini and Angola) and regional market deepening, SADC can enable freer movement, joint development, and conflict resolution.

The sense of home these nationals feel in South Africa highlights Africa's interconnected future. True unity through SADC, transcending borders for shared growth, resources, and peace, would honor historical ties, reduce migration pressures, and build a stronger, more prosperous Southern Africa where no one is a stranger in their ancestral backyard.