South Africa’s general elections will take place on May 29 to elect MPs and regional government representatives. When some campaign for an end to power cuts, for a reduction in unemployment or for the fall of the ANC, the ruling party, others focus on illegal immigration. This is the case of the small Patriotic Alliance party, whose populist leader, Gayton McKenzie, was noted for his xenophobic remarks.
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With our correspondent in Cape Town, Roman Song
The slogan of his party says it all: “Aba Hambe” (“ let them go “, in French). The stadium goes all out and repeats the slogan.
While the province is mourning the collapse of a building under construction in the town of George, Gayton McKenzie, populist leader of the Patriotic Alliance, denounces the presence of immigrant workers on the site. “ Everything that is wrong, everything that we denounce, lies beneath this debris. The problem of illegal immigration is currently evident in George Municipality where they do not employ South Africans. You may call me xenophobic, you may call me insensitive, but I am here for South Africans first. »
Gayton Mckenzie addresses his electoral base, the Métis community which feels neglected. Sumaya Adams, 55, is unemployed. “ The bosses prefer to hire illegal migrants who pay much less than us. They have to go! »
The Patriotic Alliance remains a small party, but it is making progress in the Western Cape province where it hopes to participate in a coalition. A local ambition, but xenophobic ideas which spread across the country.
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