American cosmologies of order, chaos, and violence that bear interesting reso nances with the long and problematic history of ideas about race in south africa. Overview of explanations of xenophobia in south africa. Understanding the causes and the nature of xenophobia in south. History of xenophobia in south africa and other parts of. South africa has had several incidents of xenophobic attacks during the last two decades. Blacks were denied citizenship, healthcare facilities, and basic facilities that were needed for humans to live their daily lives, until. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of. Understanding the causes and the nature of xenophobia in south africa. Thus, rather than a case of rare and sporadic attacks disturbing otherwise peaceful relations between locals and african immigrants, south african xenophobia appears to take the form of widespread antipathy and intolerance punctuated by acts of hostility and violence. Addressing social cohesion and xenophobia in south.
Sep 19, 2018 i found this definition for xenophobia online. In recent years xenophobia has emerged as one of the major contributing factors to urban violence in several african countries. The term xenophobia comes from the greek words xenos, meaning foreigner, stranger, and phobos, meaning fear. According to the new york times, the latest outbreak of xenophobic violence has resulted in at least 10 targeted deaths and about 200 arrests. South africans do not want it to be easier for foreign nationals to trade informally with south africa 59 percent opposed, to start small businesses in. The proportion of south africa s total population that is foreign born increased from 2. But president zumas condemnation of violence alone will do little to address the root causes of recurring xenophobia in south africa. Gambia, an african odyssey documentary, discovery, history duration. Xenophobic violence in democratic south africa south. Mar 29, 2017 xenophobia attacks of nigerians in south africa. Since the 2008 xenophobic violence in the country, there has been a growing literature on xenophobia. Exploring the discursive nuances of the south african. This xenophobic reaction is not new to the rainbow nation, as there have been several such scenarios in the.
The political economy of xenophobia in africa adeoye o. Discrimination against immigrants in south africa has been a longstanding issue. Yet data from the government agency statistics south africa showed there were 2. With its roots in colonialism, which coercively created modern states through border delineation and the artificial merging and dividing of communities, xenophobia continues to be a barrier to postcolonial sustainable peace and security and socioeconomic and political development in africa. The content and causes of xenophobia a limited number of qualitative studies have focussed on the xenophobic experience from its victims and sought to understand foreigners2 perceptions and understandings of xenophobia and life in south africa. A joint statement by civil society and the south african human rights commission sahrc defines xenophobia as the deep dislike of nonnationals by nationals of a recipient state south african human rights commission 1998. What the xenophobic violence gripping south africa means. Part of the history of south africa map of south africa. South africa remains a hotbed of violence against africanborn foreigners.
On 11 april 2015, several south africans attacked foreigners in a xenophobic attack in durban, south africa, which extended to some parts of johannesburg. Faced with the same problem, south africa is turning to the familiar toolkit to explain a recurrent problem. Race and inequality have always been sensitive topics in south african society due to its colonial past, diverse social composition and apartheid legacy of legal discrimination against people on the basis of their skin colour. They beat my husband with sticks and took everything this article is more than 4 years old. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem. Johannesburg, south africa a series of sensational newspaper headlines and the dissemination of false information on social media contributed to the deadly outbreak of xenophobia related. Among the examples of xenophobia in south africa, the period of apartheid from 1948 1995 was the one having an extremely lasting impression on the nations history. The impact of xenophobic attacks on nigeriasouth africa. Reflections, narratives and recommendations hussein solomon university of the free state, republic of south africa hitomi kosaka osaka university, japan and university of the free state abstract xenophobia, simply put, is the fear or. Bronwyn harris is a former project manager at the centre for the study of violence and. This book is a vivid history of racism in postapartheid south africa, focusing on how colonialism still haunts black intraracial relationships. Yet despite its notoriety, xenophobia in south africa has been one of those. Looted stores, widespread boycotts, and torched cars the xenophobic epidemic in south africa has reached new heights this week. Apr 23, 2015 proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem.
Jonathan crush of the southern african migration project reports on the latest developments. In the new south africa, targeting the black african immigrant, in particular, has resulted in a new cycle of exclusion. Pdf xenophobia has become a recurrent phenomenon in africa. We, the undersigned civil society organisations write to you to raise concerns about the continued recurrence of xenophobic attacks against nonnationals living in the republic of south africa. He adds that a group that has no history of integrating strangers. Feb 24, 2017 south africas bouts of xenophobia fly in the face of competing efforts to increase unity across the continent. African migrants, xenophobia and urban violence in postapartheid south africa daniel tevera abstract the urban space in south africa is increasingly becoming a troubled terrain of xenophobic violence. Xenophobia has been a south african problem both during the apartheid and postapartheid periods. Read more by the time there are xenophobic attacks, youre practically a refugee yourself. Examples of xenophobia from various parts of the world.
A national survey of the attitudes of the south african population towards foreign nationals in the country by the south african migration project in 2006 found xenophobia to be widespread. Some, like michael neocosmos, director of global movements research at the university of south africa unisa, recall antimigrant sentiment in the early nineties, when the new government was in the midst of planning new economic policies and politicians of all stripes began drumming up antiimmigrant. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the discriminatory acts of the south african citizens towards foreign nationals. In the wake of the recent xenophobic attacks in south africa, this informative research paper revisits the antiforeigner violence in the rainbow nation to the end of pointing out the impact on. Xenophobic violence in south africa southern african. The chapter will provide a brief history and critique of the ways in which xenophobia has been understood in south africa. Mar 10, 2017 recurrence of xenophobic attacks in south africa. What causes the rise of xenophobia in south africa. Xenophobia in south africa causes, attacks and history. African countries are speaking out in protest against south african xenophobia and a farreaching economic impact is already being felt, sabc reports.
Escalation of this hostility can lead to a spree of violence, like the one seen in south africa in 2008, which was the result of the prevailing mood in the nation. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem the. Their findings have been broadly similar, focussing. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of strangers. Xenophobia is the word used to describe the phenomenon. What is behind south africas xenophobic attacks on. With south africa, there is always an issue to contend with. Many political beliefs have been claimed to be causing xenophobic attacks in places like south africa. Apr 20, 2015 south africa leaders took notice after james oatway caught the horror in a wave of violence. The white and black race in south africa are constantly conflicting over economic resources, while the black race of south africa is also in conflict with other african migrants, depicting xenophobia. The entire african neighbourhood is horrified by reports of violent attacks targeted at foreign nationals residing in south africa. The first section of the paper describes the rise of.
Whats the economic impact of south african xenophobic. Feb 26, 2017 xenophobia in south africa and nigeria by omano edigheji just as they are outraged about the xenophobia against nigerians in other countries, nigerians should be equally outraged by xenophobia. Before 1994, foreigners faced violence and discrimination especially from the. This chapter attempts to deconstruct such a representation by suggesting that xenophobia is implicit to the technologies of nationbuilding and is part of south africa s culture of violence. Manifestations of xenophobia are usually triggered by intense dislike or hatred against. Xenophobia is seen as an intense or irrational dislike of people from the outside, or other countries. What is more, an important part of the apartheid states strategy was to play to the fears of south africans.
In 1994, the country emerged from three and a half centuries of racial oppression, perpetrated. The history of xenophobic violence in south africa is arguably rooted in. For the somalis in south africa who have suffered back home, for the youngsters whose education was disrupted, and who now face persecution in south africa, it is like being caught between two hells. A general perspective of xenophobia malesela j masenya1 abstract. Existing research on the determinants of south african xenophobia has focused on developing and advancing theories, with little attention paid to testing which. Simon bekker, ilse eigelaarmeets, gary eva, and caroline poole university of stellenbosch november 2008. Why xenophobic attacks persist in south africa vanguard news. Report on the sahrc investigation into issues of rule of. Report on the sahrc investigation into issues of rule of law.
South africas history of international exclusion, or relative economic deprivation. Making south africa a case study on the management of xenophobia, this study contextualises xenophobia as a deeply rooted and protracted sociolegal problem and argues that only deep understanding and researchbased pragmatic. While many have traced the rise of xenophobia in south africa to the post apartheid era, the. The forms of racism are numerous, and it would be impossible to list all in the same space. Xenophobic violence erupts in south africa human rights watch.
That xenophobia is south africa s only problem, or arguably even its biggest one. Xenophobia in south africa didnt begin with the 2019 attacks against nigerian immigrants. From apartheid to democracy and now its xenophobia. Historical overview of nigeria south africa relations the history of nigeria south africa relations could be traced to events arising from the sharpeville massacre of 21st march, 1960, when the south african police shot and killed 72 blacks. After widespread violence in 2008 and 2015, south africa is now clearly one of most hostile destinations in the world for african migrants. The xenophobic discourse, developed increasingly since the 1990s by the south african department of home affairs and the media in relation to migrants and migration,7 seems to have been internalised by many people in south africa as a new way to conceptualise their relationship to the nation. Towards understanding of violence against african immigrants in south africa, african insight, vol. For many africans, south africa represents a land of opportunity and a. Racial tensions seem to be escalating in south african society and disturbing racialised rhetoric and slogans are reentering the political and social landscape. African journal of criminology and justice studies. Why xenophobia is bad for the health of all in south africa. South africa leaders took notice after james oatway caught the horror in a wave of violence. Xenophobic killing in south africa caught by photos cnn. This book analyzes the phenomenon of xenophobia across african countries.
Mar 09, 2017 it is saddening to know that nigerians and other africans are still being killed on a regular basis in south africa over what has commonly be referred to as xenophobia. A brief history and context of xenophobia in south africa, from 2008 to the most recent incidents. Apr 20, 2015 the evidence shows that they contribute to south africa and south africans by providing jobs, paying rent, paying vat and providing affordable and convenient goods. Artists such as bignuz, kelly khumalo and cassper nyovest had concerts cancelled in zimbabwe and london as a result of the attacks, according to independentonline.
The rise of violent xenophobia in the new south africa. While it is difficult to put a rand value of how much xenophobia is damaging south africa the brand, there is no doubt that there is a real. May 31, 2019 xenophobia has become a more global term rather than a mental illness. The impact of xenophobia to sa the brand south africa news. Violent xenophobia has become a regular feature of south african life. Prior to 1994, immigrants from elsewhere faced discrimination and even violence in south. Pdf the experience of xenophobia in south africa researchgate. The causes of xenophobia attacks in south africa it was in the spirit of africa brotherhood that all the countries of africa supported their south. So in comparison, south africa has one of the bestwritten constitutions but implementation is always a problem.
African migrants, xenophobia and urban violence in post. Reflections, narratives and recommendations hussein solomon university of the free state, republic of south africa hitomi kosaka osaka university, japan and university of the free state abstract xenophobia, simply put, is the fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. Xenophobia in south africa and nigeria by omano edigheji. Violence, crime and xenophobia during south africas transition by bronwyn harris violence and transition series, vol. Hostility between boers and the british in south africa aggravated by the second boer war gave rise to a rebellion by the poor afrikaners who took the. The fourth part narrows the discussion to specific case study analysis of xenophobic attacks on nigerians in south africa. Xenophobia in south africa jesuit refugee service australia. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on. At least 10 people have been killed so far this month in a surge of attacks targeting foreignowned businesses in and around south africa s largest city, johannesburg. Yet the 2008 mobilisation against nonnationals can only properly be understood within the countrys broader history of xenophobia and south africa s culture of violence. Xenophobic violence and national subjectivity in south africa, journal of southern african studies, 39.
Xenophobia in south africa a brief summary by alice. According to a 2004 study published by the southern african migration project samp. Given south africa s history of colonialism and apartheid, the call by the durban conference is more than relevant. Xenophobia in south africa a history kenneth tafira palgrave. Bronwyn harris is a former project manager at the centre for the study of violence and reconciliation. It is based on the politics of exclusion, which is a feeling that foreigners are different from the nationals and so should. South african xenophobia has national and regional political consequences. Redefines and explores the sources of contemporary xenophobia, placing. The reoccurrence of these attacks has raised concerns in many quarters as to whether the government has done enough to stop the attacks. A test of eight theories christopher claassen school of social and political sciences university of glasgow glasgow, g12 8qq, uk christopher. The latest outburst of xenophobic violence in south africas political capital, pretoria, and commercial capital, johannesburg, is once again reverberating across. What caused the xenophobic attacks in south africa. Xenophobia in south africa is a phenomenon synonymous with violence and hatred towards foreigners. Xenophobia, xenophobic attack, may 2008, south africa introduction xenophobia is a social vice that is as old as social history.
South africa as a country has been through a lot over the years and a lot of nigerians are relatively familiar with their plight as nigeria fought beside them against the cruel apartheid system of government. South africa witnessed widespread xenophobic attacks since 1994 in provinces such as gauteng, western cape, free state, limpopo and kwazulu natal. South africa is struggling to define a postapartheid migration policy that is responsive to its changing role in africa, the relationship between migration and development, and the countrys rampant xenophobia, seen most graphically in may 2008. Jul 01, 2016 the 2015 xenophobic attacks are a fresh reminder of antiimmigrant sentiments in south africa. Several people, both foreign and south african alike, were killed with some of the killings captured on camera. Xenophobia in south africa a brief summary by alice wamundiya. An historical overview of nigeria south africa relations the history of the nigeria south africa relations could be traced to events arising from the sharpeville massacre of 21st march, 1960, when the south african police shot and killed 72 blacks and wounded 184 zabadi and onuoha, 2012. Despite a lack of directly comparable data, xenophobia in south africa is perceived to have significantly increased after the election of a black majority government in 1994.
An analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of. South africa is an example of a state that experiences xenophobia and racism concurrently. Xenophobia is the fear of strangers or foreigners that shows itself as antipathy or aversion to strangers. The african union last year proposed an african passport that would allow. Xenophobia is a broad notion, associated with a variety of meanings. Though not supported by data, these attacks are thought to have substantially grown in frequency after the democratic government came to power in 1994 after the end of the apartheid era. A critical study of the phenomenon and pragmatic solutions for south africa by gideon rwanda muchiri submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree. Local businesses fear the violence will have negative impact on south african. It does more than just measure the impact and efficacy of four programmes implemented to mitigate xenophobia in south africa.
Its not unique to south africa, and is based usually on ignorance and intolerance for people who are different t. In 2008, sixtyfour people died in a wave of antiimmigrant violence in the alexandra township of johannesburg. Xenophobia attacks of nigerians in south africa vanguard news. But here are just a few examples of xenophobia in the world that.
Violence, crime and xenophobia during south africa s transition, violence and transition series, vol. Xenophobia in south africa a history kenneth tafira. An escalation in incidents of xenophobia within postapartheid south africa has been fully documented. Xenophobic violence in democratic south africa xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in south africa has worsened.