BehindTheHate
Country profileAfrica

South Africa

South Africa mixes constitutional inclusion with persistent racial inequality, severe anti-migrant violence, and some of the world's highest rates of gender-based violence.

Recorded incidents

1,900

How much we can see

Well documented

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Who gets targeted here

Bias against women and girls

90Recorded 0-100

South Africa records some of the highest rates of gender-based violence and femicide globally, reflecting deep-rooted patriarchal norms and post-conflict trauma.

Where this comes from

  • South African Police Service (SAPS) (2023)"10,512 rapes reported in a single quarter."

Ethnic conflict in Africa

88Recorded 0-100

Xenophobic violence frequently targets migrants from Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Nigeria, driven by intense resource competition and local political scapegoating.

Where this comes from

  • Human Rights Watch (2022)"Operation Dudula and targeted xenophobic campaigns."

Class and caste bias

85Recorded 0-100

Extreme economic inequality runs largely along racial lines inherited from Apartheid, creating spatial segregation and volatile service-delivery protests.

Ableism (anti-disability bias)

70Recorded 0-100

People with disabilities face significant barriers to education and employment, and are disproportionately vulnerable to violent crime in under-policed townships.

Where this comes from

  • South African Human Rights Commission (2021)