This opinion article argues that former South African president Thabo Mbeki’s recent intervention in the national debate over immigration and anti-immigrant sentiment should be viewed critically in light of his own political record.

The author acknowledges Mbeki’s point that migrants are often unfairly blamed for unemployment, crime, economic decline, and governance failures that have deeper structural causes.

At the same time, the article contends that concerns about undocumented migration, pressure on public services, labor market competition, and border security should not be dismissed as inherently xenophobic.The piece focuses less on the substance of Mbeki’s comments and more on the credibility of the messenger.It argues that several major challenges facing South Africa today either emerged or worsened during Mbeki’s presidency.

The author cites Mbeki’s controversial handling of the HIV/AIDS crisis, his policy of quiet diplomacy toward Zimbabwe during Robert Mugabe’s rule, and the political conflicts within the African National Congress that culminated in the rise of Jacob Zuma.According to the article, these decisions contributed to long-term political, economic, and social consequences.

The author rejects both extreme positions in the immigration debate: the view that migrants are responsible for nearly all of South Africa’s problems and the view that migration creates no challenges at all.Instead, the article argues that a country can oppose xenophobia while still supporting lawful immigration controls and effective border management.Ultimately, the commentary concludes that former leaders should not be exempt from scrutiny when they re-enter public debates.

While recognizing Mbeki’s intelligence and historical significance, the author questions whether his interventions provide genuine insight or represent an attempt to remain politically relevant.