, 15 tweets, 17 min read Read on Twitter
South Africa has been in the news a lot over the last few days, with #SayNoToXenophobia and #XenophobiaInSouthAfrica trending across the continent.

Here’s what led to the uproar, and why a host of African stars have vowed to boycott the country in recent days.

📸: Getty Images
On Sunday, South African truckers started a nationwide strike to protest against the employment of foreign drivers.

The truckers blocked roads and torched foreign-driven vehicles.

📸: Getty Images
The unemployment rate in South Africa is nearly 28%, the highest since the labour force survey was introduced 11 years ago. As a result, tensions within communities have been brewing.

📸: Getty Images
The outburst in violence has led to African stars speaking out about their own xenophobic experiences in the country, with Nigerian rapper @burnaboy refusing to return to South Africa until things change.

📸: Getty Images
@burnaboy On Tuesday, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the violence, stating:

"There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries."

@burnaboy The large South African telecommunications company,
@MTNGroup have also released a statement outlining their stand against xenophobia. They announced the closure of some of their Nigerian stores, that they say have been subject to attacks.

@burnaboy @MTNGroup The ongoing situation has led to several African performers pulling out of their engagements in the country, including singer @TiwaSavage & comedian @basket_mouth, who have cancelled their scheduled performances.

@burnaboy @MTNGroup @TiwaSavage @basket_mouth South African rapper @ShoMadjozi, highlights that violence in the country makes Africans of all nationalities feel unsafe.

@burnaboy @MTNGroup @TiwaSavage @basket_mouth @ShoMadjozi Nigeria has now issued SA travel advice after xenophobic violence ➡️ bbc.in/2zRCcH6
@burnaboy @MTNGroup @TiwaSavage @basket_mouth @ShoMadjozi The @BBCRealityCheck team have been looking at whether attacks on migrants in South Africa are on the rise.
bbc.co.uk/news/world-afr…
@burnaboy @MTNGroup @TiwaSavage @basket_mouth @ShoMadjozi @BBCRealityCheck The Nigerian government have decided to boycott the World Economic Forum which is currently underway in Cape Town. You can hear more from @MayeniJones in this #FocusOnAfrica report. 📻
bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w1…
And we hear from shop owners whose businesses were destroyed in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa:
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