South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has said his country is not driving foreigners away after days of violence against foreigners in parts of the country.
Zuma made the remark while visiting a refugee camp in the port city of Durban, where the unrest is said to have started.
"Those who want to go home they must know that when we have arranged everything, when we have stopped the violence, they are still welcomed as they came."
Zuma has cancelled a state visit to Indonesia to tackle continuing anti-immigrant violence at home.
The violence began in Durban two weeks ago and then spread to Johannesburg.
At least six people were killed and thousands of immigrants displaced in the unrest.
Thousands of foreigners are seeking refuge in camps built in Johannesburg and Durban, and the governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi have started bussing their nationals back home.
Inside the refugee camp, a Malawi national talks about returning back to his home country.
"I'm feeling good because there I will stay safe than here. We are afraid of these people they want to kill us so how must I stay here, I cannot manage to stay in this country".
The violence began after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini's made a remark that foreigners should "pack up their bags" and leave the country.
He has since stressed that his comments were misinterpreted in an attempt to calm down tensions.
Kings in South Africa are largely ceremonial but do have considerable influence over their respective communities.
