Xenophobia's Economic Cost: The Unintended Consequences of March and March South Africa's textile industry is facing a crisis after thousands of migrant workers fled the country, leaving factory owners struggling to find replacements.
This exodus has exposed the unintended consequences of xenophobia, which have far reaching economic implications. The timing of this crisis is particularly striking given South Africa's 30% unemployment rate.
With millions of citizens desperate for work, it seems counterintuitive that the March and March campaign – aimed at "freeing up jobs for South Africans" – has exacerbated the problem.