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WATCH: Viral xenophobic rant by South African woman sparks storm on X

Alyssia Birjalal|Published

A South African woman's angry, xenophobic video has gone viral on X, triggering global outrage and immediate demands for legal action.

Image: Screengrab/X

A viral video featuring a South African woman's xenophobic rant has ignited outrage on X, where it has already amassed over 1.6 million views.

In the footage, the woman looks directly into the camera and repeatedly uses derogatory slurs like "kwerekwere" and "Zai Zai" to target African immigrants and Zimbabweans.

She explicitly describes herself as xenophobic and blames foreigners for her personal struggles, including her inability to have children.

The woman concludes her rant by demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa deport all foreigners immediately.

"I hate foreigners, I hate kwerekwere, I hate Zai Zai. I don't like foreigner. Foreigner must go to their country. I hate foreigners, I am xenophobic. I hate, again, I hate, times and times, I don't know how many times, I hate foreigners. I am xenophobic.

"I don't like foreigner, I don't have a child because of foreigner, Ramaphosa take these foreigners to their country right now," she yells. 

The video has caused a massive stir online, with most X users condemning her rant as "hate speech".

Many have tagged the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), calling the video a dangerous "incitement to harm".

The comments section also highlights a growing concern from tourists and international visitors about the safety and atmosphere in the country.

Users like @romanzolaskiii and @PinketteXO warned others never to visit South Africa, citing terrible personal experiences.

@CharmaineMayaba said: "That ubuntu they preach is just all talk, they’re the meanest people and the country is not tourist-friendly, never ever going back."

@TaylorErasEra commented: "I was there and I was attacked for being white. I hate it. O mpone o mpolaye (never again in Swedish)."

@DreAndre77 wrote: "It's sad to hear that because at the end of the day, everybody from the continent of Africa or everyone that's a part of the diaspora need to come together. Not need to be divided to use the word hate. It's very strong and it's sad."