South Africa's textile industry struggles as xenophobic protests drive away migrants

South Africa’s textile sector is in crisis after thousands of migrant workers fled the country in the last few months, following a wave of violent xenophobic protests that swept several cities. The exodus has left factories across the country scrambling to fill vacancies, with many unable to find local replacements in time.

The unrest was sparked by an anti‑immigrant campaign called March and March, which urged South Africans to reclaim jobs allegedly taken by foreign workers. The movement gained traction in a country where roughly a third of the workforce—about 15 million people—are unemployed. As the protests spread, workers from neighboring African nations and beyond fled to safer areas, citing threats to their safety and livelihoods.

Factory owners in Newcastle on the N2, a key hub for the textile industry, report that they still have dozens of open positions. “We hired more than 200 foreign workers last year, and now we’re left with half of those positions vacant,” said a local mill manager. The shortages are causing delays in production and threatening the ability of South African exporters to meet international deadlines. Some manufacturers have turned to temporary workers or overtime, but the lack of skilled labor remains a major bottleneck.

The government is under pressure to act. Labor departments are reportedly exploring training programs to upskill local workers, while business groups are calling for stricter immigration controls to prevent future disruptions. The textile crisis could ripple through the economy, affecting everything from raw material suppliers to global buyers. If the industry cannot recover quickly, South Africa risks losing its competitive edge in the global market, a loss that would hit an already vulnerable economy.