Anti-Muslim rhetoric has become increasingly visible on social media in South Africa, particularly amid heated debates over immigration and anti-migrant movements. However, experiences in many communities suggest that widespread hostility toward Muslims is not necessarily reflected in everyday life.
In rural Nquthu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, Muslims remain a small minority, yet relations between Muslims and other residents are generally peaceful. When 105-year-old Zwelibi Jack Ngubane died, his family respected his wish to be buried according to Islamic rites after he had converted to Islam later in life.
Residents say Muslims have long been part of their communities without causing major tensions. Khethukuthula Dlame, who converted to Islam as a teenager in 2012, said his neighbours respect his faith, with some even joking about his Islamic clothing.
South Africa's 2022 census recorded fewer than one million Muslims, around 1.6 percent of the population, although Muslim leaders estimate the actual number could be considerably higher.
Islam has a centuries-old history in South Africa. The country's Muslim population includes descendants of enslaved Muslims, South Africans of Indian heritage, Black African Muslims, converts and more recent migrants.
Recent social-media posts have accused Muslims of trying to take over South Africa, questioned their loyalty to the country and alleged that Muslim organisations use humanitarian work to convert poor communities. Some of the rhetoric has also become intertwined with broader anti-foreigner sentiment.
However, political analyst and journalist Thembisa Fakude said fears of widespread or organised Islamophobia in South Africa are exaggerated. He acknowledged that anti-Muslim comments exist online but argued that they should not automatically be taken as evidence that South African society as a whole is becoming hostile toward Muslims.
Muslim religious leader Moulana Sulaiman Ravat similarly said most South Africans are not Islamophobic. Nevertheless, he warned that persistent online rhetoric could eventually influence people's attitudes and contribute to greater hostility.
Ravat also rejected the idea that being Muslim makes someone less South African, pointing to his own children, who are fifth-generation South African Muslims.
The situation in communities such as Nquthu demonstrates a significant gap between social-media rhetoric and everyday interactions. While online anti-Muslim sentiment is a growing concern, Muslims and non-Muslims in many local communities continue to live together peacefully.
Experts warn, however, that the issue should not be ignored, arguing that preventing online hostility from developing into real-world discrimination is better than responding after tensions have escalated.
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