In situations of increasing poverty and diminishing opportunities in the areas of employment, housing, social welfare, education and healthcare, perceived. Xenophobia and the xenophobic violence prior to and including. Revisiting the may 2008 xenophobic attacks in south africa. 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.
Making south africa the largest recipient of immigrants on the african continent in 2019. Prior to 1994, immigrants from elsewhere faced discrimination and even violence 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. A test of eight theories christopher claassen school of social and political sciences university of glasgow glasgow, g12 8qq, uk christopher.
Violent xenophobia has become a regular feature of south african life. Xenophobia in south africa didnt begin with the 2019 attacks against nigerian immigrants. The chapter will provide a brief history and critique of the ways in which xenophobia has been understood in south africa. How south africa xenophobia attacks on africans are driven. Violence against foreign nationals and other outsiders. Xenophobia in south africa causes, attacks and history. The gendered nature of xenophobia in south africa the web site. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem the. Mar 29, 2017 xenophobia attacks of nigerians in south africa. Feb 24, 2017 south africas bouts of xenophobia fly in the face of competing efforts to increase unity across the continent. Xenophobia has been a south african problem both during the apartheid and postapartheid periods.
South african xenophobia has national and regional political consequences. Impact of xenophobia on nigerian students in south africa dr mrs josephine azuka onyido department of educational foundations, faculty of education, university of portharcourt, p. The challenge of xenophobia in africa can be overcome by identifying and addressing the root causes of the menace that has affected the peaceful coexistence of people of the same race, an official of the symposium of episcopal conferences of africa and madagascar secam said recently in south africa. Defining xenophobia although contested in its meaning, xenophobia generally refers to the fear of and hostility towards a foreign stranger. However, to understand the root cause of the problem, one must go a bit back in history. While many have traced the rise of xenophobia in south africa to the post apartheid era, the. Xenophobia is the word used to describe the phenomenon. The relationship between south africa and nigeria dates back to 1960s during the apartheid era. Several people, both foreign and south african alike, were killed with some of the killings captured on camera. Bronwyn harris is a former project manager at the centre for the study of violence and.
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. Why xenophobic attacks persist in south africa vanguard news. The latest wave of xenophobic attacks is undergirded by the belief that foreignersmainly migrants from other african countriesare to blame for south africa s social and economic woes. The fourth part narrows the discussion to specific case study analysis of xenophobic attacks on nigerians in south africa. It goes without saying that the community will be looked down upon by others and on a global platform as well. Xenophobia attacks of nigerians in south africa vanguard news.
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. What caused the xenophobic attacks in south africa. The proportion of south africa s total population that is foreign born increased from 2. South africa leaders took notice after james oatway caught the horror in a wave of violence. Noble 4th 325 world war one had many key players, countries and empires being great britain, france, german, austriahungary and russia. Xenophobia amounts to violent harassment of immigrants from other countries in africa, killing. The novel coronavirus has killed 1,000 people across africa since the pandemic emerged late last year, according to an afp tally using official figures. 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. Xenophobic attacks of nigerians in south africa vanguard. Antecedents and aftermath goolam vahed ashwin desai abstract this article revisits the may 2008 xenophobic attacks in south africa in order to grapple with key questions around the causes of xenophobia in south africa, measures that can be taken to address xenophobia and ways in. African migrants, xenophobia and urban violence in post. 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.
Violence, crime and xenophobia during south africa s transition by bronwyn harris violence and transition series, vol. On 11 april 2015, several south africans attacked foreigners in a xenophobic attack in durban, south africa, which extended to some parts of johannesburg. University of cape town, private bag x3 rondebosch 7701, south africa and the international. A new category of vulnerable victims for a new south africa. The effects of xenophobia on south africa nigeria relations. In terms of the nature of the xenophobia in south africa, it is argued that this often goes beyond the expression of xenophobic attitudes, and takes the form of violent xenophobic behaviour which is. Scores of people were injured and hundreds of stores were looted. Xenophobia is a form of violence and violence is the norm in south africa. The reoccurrence of these attacks has raised concerns in many quarters as to whether the government has done enough to stop the attacks. Algeria is the african country with the highest number of deaths at 364, followed by egypt with 205, morocco 5 and south africa. Xenophobia is the abnormal fear or envy or hatred of foreignersstrangers in a country by the citizens living in that country.
A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on south. What are the root causes and probable solutions 7 months ago 495 views by priscillah mueni the attacks that have been going on in south africa have sparked controversy in the continent, causing most of the leaders from african countries to be concerned and react to the matter. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of strangers. The impact of xenophobia to sa the brand south africa news. Addressing social cohesion and xenophobia in south.
Xenophobia will cause incredible damage to economy apr 24 2015 16. Understanding the causes and the nature of xenophobia in. What is behind south africas xenophobic attacks on. 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 puts south africas moral authority in africa. In recent years xenophobia has emerged as one of the major contributing factors to urban violence in several african countries. An analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of. Xenophobia, violence, and statecraft in contemporary south africa university of the witwatersrand, johannesburg, 22 may 2009. The ultimate goal was to establish ways in which secondary schools can play a role in averting xenophobia in the country.
The gruesome killings of africans by other africans in south africa also indicates the level of hatred that the people of south africa have towards their fellow africans. Xenophobia, international migration and development. For many africans, south africa represents a land of opportunity and a. Xenophobia, xenophobic attack, may 2008, south africa. Xenophobia will cause incredible damage to economy fin24.
By article pdf available in international journal of humanities and social science 88. 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. Pdf the effects of xenophobia on south africanigeria. Xenophobia puts south africa s moral authority in africa at risk. Exploring the discursive nuances of the south african. Address root causes of xenophobia to completely end it. Apr 20, 2015 south africa leaders took notice after james oatway caught the horror in a wave of violence. Xenophobia in south africa 1 crime fuel xenophobic sentiment, while there is little social cohesion between foreign nationals and locals to mitigate violent attacks. Egypt located at the crossroads of africa and the arab world, nigeria, the most populous state of the continent, and south africa, which is the only developed. The assessment of these ngos is that xenophobic violence in south africa can be clearly distinguished from common crime such as theft and assault. Violence is an integral part of the social fabric, even although the new south african discourse belies this. The phenomenon of xenophobia as experienced by immigrant learners in inner city schools of johannesburg by razia osman submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of education with specialisation in guidance and counselling at the university of south africa supervisor. The latest outburst of xenophobic violence in south africas political capital, pretoria, and commercial capital, johannesburg, is once again reverberating across. The lack of effective communication influences xenophobic.
Telling the complex story of medical xenophobia in south africa. Before 1994, foreigners faced violence and discrimination especially from the institutionalized racism of apartheid. An escalation in incidents of xenophobia within postapartheid south africa has been fully documented. Preaching and violence from a south african perspective, practical theology in south africa, vol. The african union last year proposed an african passport that would allow.
It has been noted that manifestations of xenophobia often increase during periods of economic hardship, election campaigns, political instability and conflict. 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. Xenophobia in south africa nomsa dumani xenophobia has developed as a consequence of the eradication of the apartheid system in south africa university of pretoria. Pdf an analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of. Then in may 2008, xenophobia rose up in a new light and took a whole new look, in an uprise that left more than 62 people dead. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the discriminatory acts of the south african citizens towards foreign nationals. They beat my husband with sticks and took everything this article is more than 5 years old. Xenophobia in south africa is a phenomenon synonymous with violence and hatred towards foreigners. May 2008 violence against foreign nationals in south africa. Xenophobic killing in south africa caught by photos cnn. Identification and summary of explanations offered for xenophobic violence in south africa during may and june 2008 series of outbursts. His death sparked a week of mob justice, which appeared to be inflamed by xenophobia.
As nigerians face recurrent xenophobic attacks in south africa, nigeria has urged the southern african country to end the cycle of violence and xenophobia. Although the term xenophobia may conjure up images of the violent attacks against foreigners in may 2008, migrant women in south africa have been. The experience of xenophobia in south africa article pdf available in american journal of orthopsychiatry 811. Xenophobia in south africa and nigeria by omano edigheji. Its not unique to south africa, and is based usually on ignorance and intolerance for people who are different t.
What causes the rise of xenophobia in south africa. Many political beliefs have been claimed to be causing xenophobic attacks in places like south africa. Mahori, a south african, was allegedly a part of a group of people who attempted to rob yusuf s store on january 19. 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.
Xenophobic attacks threaten relations between south africa. An analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of xenophobia in south africa article pdf available in africa insight 32 july 2011 with 14,460 reads how we measure reads. 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. 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. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of.
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 sentiment. 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. Despite entrenched prejudices against nonnationals in south africa, it remains unclear whether violence against them is always motivated by sentiments and attitudes of. May 31, 2019 xenophobia has become a more global term rather than a mental illness. The racial nexus of south african xenophobia is then examined, drawing on the legacy of apartheid, current global and economic conditions, and the nature of.
Pdf an analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on. Various reactive strategies were mentioned, including temporarily ceasing business operations, staying indoors at home, and moving in with friends or relatives in other parts of the city. Xenophobic violence in south africa southern african. A critical study of the phenomenon and pragmatic solutions for south africa in the postapartheid period, thousands of refugees, migrant workers and other categories of foreign nationals have been attacked, killed, displaced or deprived of their property in xenophobic attacks throughout south africa. 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. A general perspective of xenophobia malesela j masenya1 abstract.
Addressing violence against foreign nationals in south africa. Disgusted african nations have been outspoken in condemning the xenophobia while nigeria has offered planes to evacuate its citizens, bore the brunt of the attacks, from south africa. 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. Xenophobia in south africa jesuit refugee service australia. Xenophobia has an adverse effect on the society as well as economy of a region. Related articles economy, flood blamed for limpopo tourism drop. Xenophobia in south africa before the may and june series of violent events. Because these tensions had not been resolved, the report concluded, there is strong possibility of recurrence. 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 african. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes effects of xenophobia in south and africa. It starts by charting the recent development and causes of xenophobia in south africa, its significance for trust and social capital, and finally proposes strategies for increasing trust between.
Zambia and south africa are intertwined xenophobia. The rise of violent xenophobia in the new south africa csvr. The last section concludes the work and proffers relevant policy recommendations. Over 90% of south africas african migrmts were from the cou11lrks of the southern african devdopmenr community. After majority rule in 1994, contrary to expectations, the. Coronavirus death toll across africa hit 1,000 the citizen. Mar 10, 2017 recurrence of xenophobic attacks 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. Yet despite its notoriety, xenophobia in south africa has been one of those phenomenon that are little understood and under researched, and seem to only attention attack when they result in violent outbreaks. Understanding the causes and the nature of xenophobia in south africa. Xenophobic violence in south africa made international headlines in 2008, when antiimmigrant riots left at least. 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. Studies have investigated the causes of xenophobia with. In terms of the nature of the xenophobia in south africa, it is argued that this often goes beyond the expression of xenophobic attitudes, and takes the form of violent xenophobic behaviour which is usually targeted at black.
Violence, crime and xenophobia during south africas transition by bronwyn harris violence and transition series, vol. From apartheid to democracy and now its xenophobia. The recent attacks, viewed against the history of xenophobia in south africa, should leave no one in. The south african institute of race relations this morning described the wave of violence that has gripped johannesburg and surrounding areas for the past week as a direct response to policy failures on the part of thabo mbekis government. The development of a conceptual framework within which to analyse violent collective behaviour. The south african government has a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. If large numbers of south african citizens are killed in the midst of violent attacks, is xenophobic an accurate, precise conceptualization of the violence. The concept xenophobia is not a new phenomenon and has become a major, worldwide problem especially in this contemporary era.
Bronwyn harris is a former project manager at the centre for the study of violence and reconciliation. South africa and its people have the capacity to resolve problems a country that was able to resolve apartheid in the way that it did, will be able to. Apr 23, 2015 proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem. However, it could be argued, not all immigrants are subject to incidents of xenophobia. In the new south africa, targeting the black african immigrant, in particular, has resulted in a new cycle of exclusion. Indeed by belying and excluding xenophobia, the new south africa discourse is able to define itself as peaceful and tolerant. Xenophobia, violence, and statecraft in contemporary south africa. In a statement published in october 2018, south africa s main opposition party, the democratic alliance, blamed the governing anc party for a scourge of xenophobic violence. Xenophobia in south africa a brief summary by alice. Historical overview of nigeria south africa relations.
The study also aimed at focussing on tracing whether there are any programmes in place to counter xenophobia. The report found many of the underlying tensions between foreigners and locals had roots in the xenophobia violence of 2008, when 62 people including south africans were killed. In south africa, violence follows a surge in xenophobia the. Support government to address xenophobic and discriminatory practices in. Worth noting is the 2008 and the 2009 xenophobic attacks that were perpetrated in various parts of south africa. This desktop research provides responses to these questions.
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