The south african government has a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. This case was chosen because it is an example of a xenophobic incident. Debate, discourse, and everyday experience in cape town, south africa, africa today 56, 3 2010, pp. Most south africans are horrified by the reports they read in the press and see on television. The experience of xenophobia in south africa article pdf available in american journal of orthopsychiatry 811. With south africa, there is always an issue to contend with. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem. South africa launches plan to combat xenophobia and racism. Understanding the causes and the nature of xenophobia in. 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.
South africa is an example of a state that experiences xenophobia and racism concurrently. The proportion of south africa s total population that is foreign born increased from 2. Furthermore, the paper recommends some strategies that can be used to prevent south africans attacking foreign nationals. The solution to xenophobic practices in south africa. The year 1994 saw the south african state being oriented into a new nation. This may include food, shelter, clothing, or nonmaterial aid like counseling. Pdf after 21 years into democracy, south africa is still experiencing. 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.
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. Finally, this kind of victimblaming attitudes can contribute to a climate where xenophobic hate crime is seen as acceptable. Therefore, this paper concludes that if african, and particularly. South africa has launched its national action plan to combat xenophobia, racism, and discrimination, marking an important step towards addressing the widespread human rights abuses arising from. In achieving this, data was collated using a 12 item questionnaire titled impact of xenophobia on nigerian students in south africa across 30 randomly selected nigerian students using sampling technique rated on a 4point likert scale. Aug 06, 2019 finally, this kind of victimblaming attitudes can contribute to a climate where xenophobic hate crime is seen as acceptable. Since the 2008 xenophobic violence in the country, there has been a growing literature on xenophobia. The proposed solutions included kncing, hetter horder controls, army. Apartheid created fertile ground for xenophobia in several ways. Figure 8 tweets regarding xenophobia in south africa the rainbow nation gone berserk. It is defined as a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of strangers. Finding workable solutions to xenophobia durban university. Naledi pandors comments came in the wake of a wave of xenophobic attacks. 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.
Many of the worlds worst atrocities from the holocaust to the rwandan genocide have been inspired by xenophobic sentiments. Sonke gender justice has been actively involved in efforts to stem the xenophobic violence and its aftermath in south africa. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on south. 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. 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. Apr 30, 2015 with xenophobia sparking massive outrage after recently rearing its ugly head in south africa, the journalism programme at dut screened the burning man, a story depicting the life of mozambiques ernesto alfabeto nhamuve who was set on fire by an angry mob in 2008. 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 interventions can alleviate the phenomenon. The refugee crisis that has taken a hold of europe is one of the biggest tests that this union of nations has faced thus far, and the way in which it responds to it will very much determine the future development of the european union. Addressing social cohesion and xenophobia in south africa. Perceptions from south african communities democracy and governance programme, human sciences research council, pretoria, 2008. Apr 23, 2015 the entire african neighbourhood is horrified by reports of violent attacks targeted at foreign nationals residing in south africa. Since the demise of apartheid in 1994, many more migrants have been attracted by south africa s reputation as a free, democratic and open developing country. The drivers of xenophobic violence in south africa are inevitably multiple and embedded in a complex interplay of the countrys past and present structural political, social and economic. Taking responsibility finding sustainable solutions to.
This book analyzes the phenomenon of xenophobia across african countries. Taking responsibility finding sustainable solutions to xenophobia news today the nelson mandela foundation used two platforms to address the challenge of xenophobia confronting south africa. Building on these understandings, it will contextualise xenophobia as a current and arguably socially located phenomenon, one which. The culture of violence in south africa, which includes high levels of genderbased violence, domestic abuse, substance abuse, murder and rape, have also resulted in an environment that is prone. Policy discussions on anti xenophobia strategies currently have a strong focus on law enforcement and promoting a zero tolerance policy. So to say, this is not the south africa that lots of people hoped for in 1994, when the. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on. The progressive measures put forward in the plan include. The fourth part narrows the discussion to specific case study analysis of xenophobic attacks on nigerians in south africa. In that context the paper looks at the general perspective of xenophobia in south africa focusing on the main reasons why local citizens attack foreign nationals. The quality and scope of documentation in cases of xenophobic harassment and violence is generally poor.
With xenophobia sparking massive outrage after recently rearing its ugly head in south africa, the journalism programme at dut screened the burning man, a story depicting the life of mozambiques ernesto alfabeto nhamuve who was set on fire by an angry mob in 2008 the screening was held at the universitys arthur smith hall, city campus, on wednesday, 29. The entire african neighbourhood is horrified by reports of violent attacks targeted at foreign nationals residing in south africa. The environment led to development of new discrimination exercise on specific victims especially the black foreigner. Xenophobia results in discrimination, racism, and nationalism, which in turn inspire violence, hostility, and exploitation. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem the mail. Proactive solutions needed to solve xenophobia problem the. Mar 10, 2017 recurrence of xenophobic attacks in south africa.
Jul 15, 2017 20170715 xenophobic attacks is one of the many threats to the security of the world, and so, a desperate need by all to help get measures to put in place so as to help reduce or get rid of it. But the recent wave of xenophobia has tarnished this image and fuelled resentment among those who accuse south africa of an arrogant exceptionalism that looks down on the rest of the continent. In february, a new wave of xenophobic violence flared up in south africa, following the violence of may 2008 62 deaths and that of 2015, targeting african immigrants in the black townships of several major cities of the country. Xenophobia is not a peculiarly south african problem, and many local. Five people have been killed in xenophobic violence in south africa, police said on tuesday, as president cyril ramaphosa vowed to clamp down on the attacks and the african union and nigeria sounded their alarm scores of people some armed with axes and machetes gathered in johannesburgs central business district cbd for a third day of unrest directed against. 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. 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. Its not unique to south africa, and is based usually on ignorance and intolerance for people who are different t.
Xenophobia, international migration and development. The chapter will provide a brief history and critique of the ways in which xenophobia has been understood in south africa. The last section concludes the work and proffers relevant policy recommendations. 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. Xenophobia has an adverse effect on the society as well as economy of a region.
Countries of origin can also benefit from the diaspora in the form of remittances that are sent home to help and. South africa s location makes it easy to travel to other countries, or to travel from other countries to south africa via boats, planes or our roads. This is troubling as it harms efforts to fight xenophobia in south 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. African diaspora forum adf, a panafrican ngo founded in 2008, works to integrate foreigners into south african society. This study seeks to understand the causes and nature of xenophobia in south africa. The drivers of xenophobic violence in south africa are inevitably multiple and embedded in a complex interplay of the countrys past and present structural political, social and economic factors. This made south africa the largest recipient of immigrants on the african continent in 2019. Pdf the current xenophobic outbreak in south africa has elicited various reactions and concern from diverse circles.
The political economy of xenophobia in africa adeoye o. Violence, crime and xenophobia during south africas transition, violence and transition series, vol. Historical overview of nigeria south africa relations. The mining industry has a history of laborers from neighboring states. A number of public figures have declared they feel ashamed to be a south african in these times. It goes without saying that the community will be looked down upon by others and on a global platform as well. Notably, xenophobia in south africa is a reaction to socio politic al and economic circumstances in the country. South africa has had several incidents of xenophobic attacks during the last two decades. Xenophobia may sound like a groovy disco move, but it is a serious anxiety disorder. The reality of human trafficking in south africa the.
Sonke has actively been engaging with communities to strengthen the ability of refugees and immigrants to be able to access their rights including their right to safety, dignity and health. Building on these understandings, it will contextualise xenophobia as a current and arguably socially located phenomenon, one which is framed as. Xenophobia is the word used to describe the phenomenon. A retrospective study of the effects of xenophobia on south africa nigeria relations oluyemi fayomi, felix chidozie, charles ayo. Xenophobia in south africa is a phenomenon synonymous with violence and hatred towards foreigners. South africans that, given that the ills of unfair. By the standard dictionary definition, xenophobia is. We are calling on the president to unleash a plan of action that will lead us to a solution. It is also important to note that the damages conceded have a great impact. What causes the rise of xenophobia in south africa. The recent xenophobia in south africa is a case in hand. Sep 09, 2019 the south african government has a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. South africas novel solution to xenophobic violence.
From apartheid to democracy and now its xenophobia. Xenophobia xenophobia is an intense dislike andor fear of people from other country, race, ethnicity and religion. We are calling on the president to unleash a plan of action that will lead us to a solution because we do believe that there. The 2015 xenophobic attacks are a fresh reminder of antiimmigrant sentiments in south africa. Xenophobia mobilising a possible solution within our midst during the past few weeks a gulf of xenophobic attacks has swept through our country. In the period this evaluation covers, unhcr rosa established a relationship with the south african police service saps in responding to xenophobic attacks. May 12, 2015 johannesburg, south africa after antiforeigner attacks last month left at least eight people dead, south africas army was deployed to hot spots of xenophobic violence, a highprofile. As a result, xenophobic attack is just the attack of such foreigners by the citizens in that country due to the abnormal fear or envy or hatred of them. May 07, 2015 taking responsibility finding sustainable solutions to xenophobia news today the nelson mandela foundation used two platforms to address the challenge of xenophobia confronting south africa. Causes and effects of xenophobia, the strange fear of. What caused the xenophobic attacks in south africa.
Here, well check out the causes and negative effects of xenophobia. We do not believe that south africa has no solutions to these problems. Mar 25, 2019 south africa has launched its national action plan to combat xenophobia, racism, and discrimination, marking an important step towards addressing the widespread human rights abuses arising from. Mar 18, 2020 demonstrate how xenophobia is problematic. Xenophobia is the abnormal fear or envy or hatred of foreignersstrangers in a country by the citizens living in that country. There is need to find a solution to xenophobic attacks in south africa. 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. South africa s international relations minister has called for africa to better manage migration. Sisulu says ngos roped in to find causes, solutions to xenophobia. The aeual number of migrants in hoth india and south africa is unknown. Xenophobia in south africa causes, attacks and history. 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.
Give the victims of xenophobia a platform from which to denounce their attackers. International migration, racism, discrimination and xenophobia. Xeno ph obia protection from xenophobia an evaluation of unhcrs regional office for southern africas xenophobia related programmes written by. 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. Before 1994, foreigners faced violence and discrimination especially from the. This influx certainly put a strain on south africa s resources in all sectors, and as our minister of health aaron motsoaledi has said, the.
595 1453 572 906 322 1247 347 105 156 949 789 517 624 35 130 395 1214 703 377 320 1094 1344 849 412 282 279 284 303 229 1336 661 674 468 905