A Ghanaian woman identified as Najaz has opened up about the fear and uncertainty that pushed her to leave South Africa and return home, describing what she says was a growing climate of intimidation against foreigners.
Speaking in a video testimony that has since circulated widely on social media, Najaz said daily life had become increasingly difficult and frightening for many migrants living in South Africa.
“I came back to Ghana because South Africa is unsafe for foreigners,” she said. “They chase your children out of school, and when you go to work, they also drive you away. They hand people over to the police, and they end up staying in custody for a long time. I was always scared whenever I went outside because of the xenophobic attacks.”
Najaz was part of the first group of nearly 300 Ghanaians who arrived in Accra this week aboard a government-chartered flight. The voluntary repatriation exercise follows weeks of anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa, where demonstrators have accused undocumented foreigners of contributing to crime, taking jobs, and placing pressure on public services in a country battling unemployment rates above 30 percent.
Ghanaian authorities organised the evacuation for citizens who no longer felt safe, with reports indicating that more than 800 people have expressed interest in returning home. The first flight included women and children and arrived amid renewed regional concerns over migration and xenophobia.
South African sources have indicated that the majority of the returnees — about 290 out of the 300 passengers on the first flight — did not possess valid immigration documents. The revelation has intensified debate around the issue, with some focusing on the safety concerns raised by migrants while others continue to call for stricter immigration enforcement and compliance with residency laws.
The latest wave of returns highlights deeper social and economic tensions in South Africa, where frustrations over unemployment and competition for opportunities have repeatedly sparked anti-foreigner protests and sporadic violence over the years.
Although the South African government has consistently condemned attacks targeting foreign nationals, many migrants say fear and uncertainty remain part of everyday life.
Ghana has pledged support for the returnees as they begin the process of reintegration, with additional evacuation flights expected in the coming days.
For Najaz and many others, returning home was ultimately about finding safety and peace of mind.