POPULIST THREAT OP-ED: In the shadow of the Rainbow Nation: Xenophobia and SA’s reckoning with pan-Africanism (opens original article in a new tab)

South Africa faces a crisis of xenophobia and political failure, undermining its pan-African ideals and international reputation.

• South Africa's 'Rainbow Nation' vision is fracturing due to rising xenophobia and exclusionary politics.
• Political leaders have failed to address systemic issues like unemployment and inequality, leading to scapegoating of immigrants.
• The government's response to xenophobic violence has been criticized as insufficient and lacking accountability for vigilante groups.