Foreign traders flee South Africa’s townships fearing xenophobia

Johannesburg, South Africa - 27 June 2026: Foreign traders in South Africa’s townships have started fleeing. In the Kwathema township outside Springs located east of Johannesburg, foreign traders were recently chased foreign street traders and vendors away. Most of the trading spaces left by foreign nationals still remain vacant. Some foreign traders have remained despite the fast approaching June 30 deadline announced by anti-immigration groups. These groups have demanded that all foreign nationals lave South Africa by that date. Some local traders interviewed however did not share the same anti-foreigner sentiment, claiming these migrants were their African brothers and sisters who they work and live with. Footage by Wesley Fester/Getty Images. Follow my other social media platforms: Facebook:   / wesleyfestervideos   Instagram:  / wesleyfestersa   Tiktok:  / wesleyfestersa   License editorial video stock footage from archive: Getty Images: https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/... Pond5: https://www.pond5.com/artist/wesleyfe... Shutterstock: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Wesley...