‘I Have Lost Everything, But I’m Not Leaving South Africa’-Ghanaian Woman in South Africa Shares Painful Experience After Xenophobic Attacks

A Ghanaian woman living in South Africa, Princess Adjei, has spoken about the challenges she faced during recent xenophobic attacks in the country.

In an interview with Reuters, Adjei said her home and business in Durban were attacked and looted by people demanding that foreigners leave South Africa.

She explained that almost everything she owned was either stolen or destroyed, leaving her with nothing.

“There were hair pieces that I was selling here. There were nails, acrylic nails, stuff that I was also selling here. We had dryers, hand dryers that we used to dry customers’ hair with. We had a standing dryer, which is no more. We had relaxers and shampoos. I used to sell them. I used to sell lots of stuff here, lipsticks, makeup stuff, and all those things, but apparently there’s nothing here,” she told Reuters.

According to reports, Adjei is now among about 200 victims affected by the attacks and is struggling to provide basic needs for her 14-year-old son.

“I can’t pay my rent for the shop. I can’t pay my rent at home. I can’t feed my child. I can’t feed my family,” she said.

Despite her situation, Adjei said she does not plan to take up Ghana’s voluntary evacuation offer.

She explained that South Africa is the only home she knows, as she grew up there and has legal documents allowing her to stay.

“This is where I grew up, this is where my whole life is, and I am documented. If I was not documented, I would understand, but I’m documented. So, there is nowhere that I can go. I will only reside here in South Africa,” she said.

CLICK HERE to advertise with us or to feature your guest post on our website.

Her story has sparked discussions about xenophobic violence, the safety of foreign nationals, and the challenges faced by migrants who have built their lives in another country.