Zimbabwean migrant workers' exodus hits South African farming

• More than 160,000 foreign workers left South Africa following xenophobic attacks, anti-migrant protests, and intensified immigration enforcement.
• The departure has led to significant labour shortages in farming and other industries, with some farmers reporting losses of up to 80 percent of their workforce.
• The shortage is not only affecting production but also supply chains, with the potential for long-term disruptions.
• Lawyers advising clients with agricultural interests in South Africa should review their immigration strategies to mitigate these risks.

One farmer on the north coast lost up to 80 percent of his cane-cutting workforce virtually overnight.

A wave of xenophobic attacks, anti-migrant protests, and intensified immigration enforcement in South Africa led to the departure of thousands of foreign workers. According to an AFP tally based on figures from African governments repatriating their citizens, more than 160,000 people left the country, with Zimbabwe accounting for the largest share. These workers had been employed in various sectors, including farming, domestic work, and construction. The exodus was triggered by an unofficial deadline set by anti-migrant groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

The absence of these workers has been felt immediately in KwaZulu-Natal's sugar belt, with farmers reporting significant labour shortages. One farmer on the north coast lost up to 80 percent of his cane-cutting workforce virtually overnight, while another grower near Mid-Illovo reported that most cane cutters in his area came from Lesotho.

The shortage is not limited to sugarcane farms; Zimbabwean farmworker Aaron Majatamhe described a general shortage of workers across the top fruit-producing regions. He said that people have to harvest mandarins, but there is no one to do it.

The South African government has sought to respond to public anger over migration by promoting a 'locals first' approach. This policy is actively being pursued, with the Employment Services Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced to Parliament to strengthen the regulation of foreign worker employment, including potential quotas and stricter employer requirements. However, this policy may not be effective in addressing the labour shortages faced by farmers and other industries that rely on foreign skills and labour. The government acknowledges that some industries require foreign workers due to their skills and experience.

Employers are also facing challenges in replacing years of experience lost with the departure of skilled migrant workers. A manager at a clothing factory in Durban's Chatsworth industrial area said it would take time for local workers to master the job left vacant by machinists from Malawi and Mozambique.

The government has not yet implemented any new broad measures to regularise the status of undocumented migrants who meet the requirements for legal status. Instead, the current focus is on strengthening enforcement, identifying, and deporting undocumented foreign nationals, and closing legal loopholes. This lack of clarity is causing uncertainty among employers and migrant workers alike.

The labour shortages caused by the departure of foreign workers are having a significant impact on farming and other industries in South Africa. Farmers are sounding the alarm, with some reporting losses of up to 80 percent of their workforce. The shortage is not only affecting production but also supply chains.

Lawyers advising clients with agricultural interests in South Africa should be aware of the potential for labour shortages and disruptions to supply chains. They should consider reviewing their immigration strategies to mitigate these risks. The situation highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to migration policy, one that balances public concerns about job security with the needs of industries that rely on foreign skills and labour.

Lawyers advising clients with agricultural interests in South Africa should be aware of the potential for labour shortages and disruptions to supply chains, and consider reviewing their immigration strategies to mitigate these risks.

Source: Original reporting via AFP and RFI