Johannesburg: Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Aimée-Noel Mbiyozo, Senior Research Consultant at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). South Africa's recurring waves of anti-migrant mobilization reveal a deeper political and socioeconomic paradox. Mbiyozo argues that while public frustration over unemployment, inequality, corruption, and failing public services is genuine, migrants have become convenient political scapegoats rather than the cause of these structural crises. According to France24.com, Mbiyozo draws on migration data, governance failures, and labor market realities to contend that anti-migrant narratives persist not because they are supported by evidence, but because they offer politically expedient explanations for complex problems. The narratives serve to divert attention from the real issues plaguing the nation, such as governance failures and economic disparities, and instead channel public discontent towards the migrant population. The phenomenon is not unique to South Africa; arou nd the world, migrants are often blamed for societal woes they did not cause. This pattern highlights a troubling global trend where xenophobia is used as a tool to deflect attention from more deep-seated issues that require systemic solutions. The insights provided by Mbiyozo serve as a call to critically evaluate the narratives that shape public opinion and policy towards immigrants.