South African actor Tumisho Masha has entered the national conversation on illegal immigration, urging people to separate concerns about border security from xenophobia.
His comments come as tensions over undocumented migration continue to dominate public discourse across the country, with planned anti-illegal immigration marches drawing widespread attention.
Also see: Musician TNS backs marches against illegal immigration
In a video shared on social media, Masha said South Africans should not be labelled xenophobic simply for advocating for stronger border management.
He stressed that every sovereign nation has the right to enforce its immigration laws while maintaining respect for human dignity.
“We reject violence, we reject vigilantism, we reject hatred, but we also reject the lie that defending South Africa’s borders and asking people to obey our laws makes us bad people,” Masha said.
Thank you to every South African defending our country and doing it with peace, principles and dignity #30June #Sovereign #Peace #southafrica pic.twitter.com/KM00qr1Bmn
— Tumisho Masha (@TumishoMasha) June 29, 2026
Rejecting violence while supporting lawful immigration
Masha was clear that his support for stricter immigration controls does not extend to violence or intimidation. He condemned vigilantism and encouraged peaceful engagement, arguing that the country’s economic challenges, including unemployment, strained public services, and limited resources, have intensified calls for better border management.
Also see: Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma stands her ground in heated cross-border immigration debate
His remarks have sparked debate online, with some praising his stance as patriotic while others caution that discussions around illegal immigration must avoid fuelling hostility towards documented migrants and refugees.
“Y’all know d*mn well what’s coming, guys. This process has been anything but peaceful, anything but principled, anything but dignified. And once again it’s poor Black folk being used as cannon fodder,” commented one internet user.
Condemning violence, another claimed, “You are using threats of violence to drive your point home, hence the xenophobic label. I truly support the goal, but the end doesn’t justify the means.”
”Thank you, brother, for standing up and speaking the truth. People like yourselves have a much greater impact on the world platform than we ordinary citizens. Thank you so much,” encouraged one more.
A complex national conversation
The issue of illegal immigration remains one of South Africa’s most polarising topics. Government leaders have repeatedly condemned xenophobic violence while acknowledging public concerns over undocumented migration and border security. Recent protests have prompted heightened security measures amid fears of unrest.
As prominent voices like Tumisho Masha join the conversation, the challenge remains finding solutions that uphold both national sovereignty and human rights.
Also see: Ayanda Ntanzi urges law and order amid illegal immigration tension
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
