The environment led to development of new discrimination exercise on specific victims especially the black foreigner. History, causes, features and consequences he racism is the act in which one person discriminates to another by its color of skin and by all the morphologic traits that are linked to him. 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. 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. Many political beliefs have been claimed to be causing xenophobic attacks in places like south africa. While never granted refugee status they were technically allowed to settle in the bantustans or black homelands created during the apartheid system. So in comparison, south africa has one of the bestwritten constitutions but implementation is always a problem. 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.
Exploring the discursive nuances of the south african. 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. They are angry because of their poverty and unemployment. This chapter examines the context of xenophobia in nigeria and that of south africa and assesses the attendant implications for panafricanism. Several people, both foreign and south african alike, were killed with some of the killings captured on camera. Apr 30, 2015 xenophobia or afrophobia in south africa, what a shame.
The south african government has a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Despite entrenched prejudices against nonnationals in south africa, it remains unclear whether violence against them is always motivated by sentiments and attitudes of. 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. What the xenophobic violence gripping south africa means. The impact of xenophobia to sa the brand south africa news.
Xenophobia is the abnormal fear or envy or hatred of foreignersstrangers in a country by the citizens living in that country. Between 1984 and the end of hostilities in that country, an estimated 50,000 to 350,000 mozambicans fled to south africa. Understanding the causes and the nature of xenophobia in. Apr 21, 2015 violent attacks against migrants have sparked outrage in south africa and protests across the continent if youve been affected by the violence, or have been speaking out, wed like to. A test of eight theories christopher claassen school of social and political sciences university of glasgow glasgow, g12 8qq, uk christopher. Bronwyn harris is a former project manager at the centre for the study of violence and. Protesters accused immigrants of taking jobs from south africans, causing crime, and complained that they are arrogant and they dont know. Pdf an analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of. Revisiting the may 2008 xenophobic attacks in south africa. Xenophobia in south africa chapter 5 addressing a group of around 300 migrant traders in early march, amir sheikh, the chairperson of the somali community board in south africa, appeared confident.
We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Xenophobia in south africa a brief summary by alice. Xenophobia in south africa is a phenomenon synonymous with violence and hatred towards foreigners. 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. South africa finally grants landing permit to air peace.
The causes of xenophobia in contemporary south africa are multifaceted. Studies have investigated the causes of xenophobia with. Jan 31, 2017 since south africas transition to democracy, the country has observed thousands of events of xenophobic violence. What caused the xenophobic attacks in south africa. Xenophobic exclusion and masculinities among zimbabwean male. South africa is characterized by economic inequality, which represents a direct consequence of capitalist model of economic development the poor get poorer and the. Xenophobia and capitalist urbanisation processes in. This thesis is dedicated to the cormsa, acms, lhr, samp and other ngos, and. Attacks did not disappear with 2008 attacks incidents of xenophobic and xenophobicrelated violence continue to be reported in south africa. In south africa, one of the main causes of xenophobia is anger. The mass attacks in 2008 drew international attention to the issue, but since then, over 400 immigrants, refugees, asylumseekers and those viewed as outsiders have been killed in similar events. Weeks after violence against foreign nationals erupted in soweto, he was relating news of progress. Xenophobic violence in south africa made international headlines in 2008, when antiimmigrant riots left at least. In the longer paper, we discllss the upsurge of xenophobia across the south lising the case studies of l.
Xenophobia has been a problem which south africa has been experiencing on a higher level. The chapter will provide a brief history and critique of the ways in which xenophobia has been understood in south africa. Worth noting is the 2008 and the 2009 xenophobic attacks that were perpetrated in various parts of south africa. Xenophobia will cause incredible damage to economy fin24. Apr 24, 2015 stehlik immigrated to south africa from austria in 1970 and founded the protea group in 1984 with no capital. Spain is ever exciting, the more you travel its diverse latitudes, different shades of frolics come your way. Xenophobia in south africa a brief summary by alice wamundiya. Landau, may 2008 violence against foreign nationals in south africa. Xenophobic violence in south africa southern african.
Xenophobia and the politics of citizenship and belonging in south africa 11 speaking to each other in english. The aeual number of migrants in hoth india and south africa is unknown. This necessitates south africa playing a much larger leadership role in africa. How south africa xenophobia attacks on africans are driven. Bronwyn harris is a former project manager at the centre for the study of violence and reconciliation. To effectively address the root causes of xenophobia in our own country requires us to address the poor governance, economic meltdown, conflict, and humanitarian crisis in our region and the broader continent. Apr 23, 2015 proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem.
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. 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. Governmentcommissioned report says media houses played a role in the deadly 2015 xenophobic attacks in kwazulunatal. Before 1994, foreigners faced violence and discrimination especially from the institutionalized racism of apartheid. Xenophobia is an anxiety disorder in which meeting strangers or foreigners causes extreme reactions of fear. Xenophobia has an adverse effect on the society as well as economy of a region. 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. 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. On 11 april 2015, several south africans attacked foreigners in a xenophobic attack in durban, south africa, which extended to some parts of johannesburg. Defining xenophobia although contested in its meaning, xenophobia generally refers to the fear of and hostility towards a foreign stranger. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on. 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.
Xenophobic attacks not a new phenomenon in south africa started even before may 2008 attacks that rocked the nation and the international community. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of strangers. Once the crisis is over, as in south africa, enthusiasm for addressing the causes begins to wane. Xenophobia is more economic than social daily maverick.
This chapter examines the causes of afrophobia in south africa. What is behind south africas xenophobic attacks on. Xenophobia toward refugees and other forced migrants reliefweb. The concept xenophobia is not a new phenomenon and has become a major, worldwide problem especially in this contemporary era. Moreover, it provides little guidance on how unhcr may use advocacy tools and programming objectives. 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. The reoccurrence of these attacks has raised concerns in many quarters as to whether the government has done enough to stop the attacks. Xenophobia in south africa before the may and june series of violent events. Xenophobia in south africa before 1994 attacks against mozambican and congolese immigrants. Failure to maintain the rule of law the governments repeated failures to bring levels of violent crime under control contributed to an environment which saw people resort to violence without fear of arrest or successful prosecution.
Making south africa the largest recipient of immigrants on the african continent in 2019. Preaching and violence from a south african perspective, practical theology in south africa, vol. Addressing social cohesion and xenophobia in south. Studies have investigated the causes of xenophobia with varied reasons emerging. Managing root causes and effects of xenophobic attacks in south. South africa has the potential to achieve regional hegemony in africa, but in order to do so it must address phenomena such as xenophobia, which imposes severe limitations on. Xenophobia in south africa 1 crime fuel xenophobic sentiment, while there is little social cohesion between foreign nationals and locals to mitigate violent attacks.
Blame african leaders for xenophobia in south africa. It starts by charting the recent development and causes of xenophobia in. 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. May 31, 2019 xenophobia has become a more global term rather than a mental illness. 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. Their findings have been broadly similar, focussing. Understanding causes and evaluating responses consortium for refugees and migrants in south africa and university of the witwatersrand. 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. The rise of violent xenophobia in the new south africa pdf. 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. It goes without saying that the community will be looked down upon by others and on a global platform as well.
Before 1994, foreigners faced violence and discrimination especially from the. From apartheid to democracy and now its xenophobia. Pdf in may 2008, xenophobic violence erupted in south africa. South africa has an endemic culture of violence, it is seen in the 2014 murder statistics, where south africa s murder rates were at 32. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the discriminatory acts of the south african citizens towards foreign nationals. Pdf on jul 1, 2011, lukong stella shulika and others published an analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of xenophobia in south africa find, read and cite all the research you need. Violent xenophobia has become a regular feature of south african life. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on south.
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. The unhcr rosa staff and their south african partners who implemented the programmes. The development of a conceptual framework within which to analyse violent collective behaviour. History, causes, features and consequences life persona. 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. The above histology depicts foreigners as survivors of xenophobia and nationals as perpetrators of the violence. He says the recent spate of violence against foreigners is doing incredible damage to the south african economy and the tourism industry. This monday june 24, the nonprofit organization the planetary society will launch lightsail 2, the first spacecraft propelled solely by sunlight, in a mission made possible by crowdfunding, officials said while it wont be the first spacecraft to successfully use a solar sail at some distance from earth that honor goes to the japanese spacecraft ikaros, which launched in 2010 it. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of.
Pdf an analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications. The proportion of south africa s total population that is foreign born increased from 2. Hence, their feelings of blackness are closely tied to aspirations of whiteness. Xenophobia in south africa and nigeria by omano edigheji. This study seeks to understand the causes and nature of xenophobia in south africa. The cocktail of theoretical positionings regarding its causes. It argues that the occurrences of afrophobia in south africa can be understood as a direct consequence of corruption. These characteristics associated with the morphology can be as simple as the shape of the nose, the height, the shape of the head and even the color. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem the. The causes of xenophobia attacks in south africa it was in the spirit of africa brotherhood that all the countries of africa. Violence, crime and xenophobia during south africas transition by bronwyn harris violence and transition series, vol. In view of this background, the paper interrogates the retrospective effects of xenophobia on south africa nigeria relations given the dynamism that governs the countries diplomatic engagements in recent time. Asked in example sentences how do you use the word xenophobia in a sentence.
An analysis of the causes, effects and ramifications of. Both xenophobia denialism and xenophobia minimalism ignore or sideline the evidence that most south africans hold extremely negative. This case was chosen because it is an example of a xenophobic incident. Xenophobia has to do with contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or of people from different countries or cultures. Prior to 1994, immigrants from elsewhere faced discrimination and even violence in south. What causes the rise of xenophobia in south africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes effects of xenophobia in south and africa. The year 1994 saw the south african state being oriented into a new nation. A general perspective of xenophobia malesela j masenya1 abstract. Xenophobia, international migration and development. Why would africans leave their country of origin for.
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. May 06, 2015 south africa is indebted to many others in the continent who provided essential support during the antiapartheid struggle. Xenophobia in south africa causes, attacks and history. Xenophobia is the word used to describe the phenomenon. That xenophobia is south africa s only problem, or arguably even its biggest one. Mar 10, 2017 recurrence of xenophobic attacks in south africa. Other than the trigger, the symptoms for xenophobia are very similar to other anxiety. With south africa, there is always an issue to contend with. Frustrationaggression, afrophobia and the psychosocial. The study also aimed at focussing on tracing whether there are any programmes in place to counter xenophobia.
Abstract the underlying causes of xenophobia are complex and varied. Bill nye and planetary society set to ride a sunbeam with. South africa has had several incidents of xenophobic attacks during the last two decades. Identification and summary of explanations offered for xenophobic violence in south africa during may and june 2008 series of outbursts. Nov 14, 2017 however, the citizens of host countries tend to display hostilities and hatred towards nonnationals as competition for resources become tense. Critical analysis of xenophobia attacks in south africa xenophobia is distrust, fear which may be unreasonable, hatred of strangers or anything which may be different or foreign. Its not unique to south africa, and is based usually on ignorance and intolerance for people who are different t. At an anti xenophobia march in johannesburg last week, signs lifted above the heads of the thousands gathered made clear appeals to the vision of an inclusive, peaceful south africa set out by its most infamous struggle. Xenophobia is seen as an intense or irrational dislike of people from the outside, or other countries. Yet despite its notoriety, xenophobia in south africa has been one of those. In south africa, many analysts searching for the causes of xenophobia have zeroed into the economic inequality inherited from apartheid which the new postapartheid order, with its probig business neoliberal economic policies, has exacerbated rather than.