Drivers of community xenophobic attacks in South Africa: poverty and unemployment

Malemela Mamabolo

doi:10.4102/td.v11i4.49

Abstract

This paper argues that attacks of foreign nationals in most local communities were sparked by desperation precipitated by high rates of poverty and unemployment in South Africa. Additionally, there is citizens’ frustrations with the perceived competition for access to the available resources, especially among poor people who are unemployed with no formal business support from government. In South Africa’s twenty years of democracy, poverty and unemployment still remain critical concerns particularly among the poor in most townships and rural communities. Despite the country’s initiative to identify policies and strategies that could be adopted to address the status quo, the majority has continued to live in abject poverty and demeaning unemployment. Lack of economic opportunities in South Africa continues to create hatred between foreign nationals and locals, sparking xenophobic attacks. South African citizens accused foreigners of stealing their jobs and other opportunities. The article recommends that South Africa should create a harmonious business environment for both locals and foreign nationals running businesses.

Highlights

Notwithstanding the country-wide fatal xenophobic attacks in 2008 and 2015 in South Africa, the underlying causes remains unclear
It is not clear as to what extent have South Africa done to transform its society in its two decades of democracy because persistent poverty and unemployment cannot be excluded from the driving forces for xenophobic attacks (Sosibo, 2015: 2)
The wave of xenophobia in South Africa brought so many questions, perceptions and arguments as to what are the major causes of the violent attacks

Summary

Introduction

Notwithstanding the country-wide fatal xenophobic attacks in 2008 and 2015 in South Africa, the underlying causes remains unclear. Competition for scarce resources and business contestation appear to run supreme The discourse, both in politics and in academia, about the causes of the conflict has continued unabated as unfinished stories. Minister Pravin Gordhan asserts that the popular myth of foreigners stealing South African jobs can be curbed through partnership-based interventions by government and business. The people that are suffering from poverty and unemployment are likely to be confused and desperate to the extent of developing hatred against successful foreign nationals.

Xenophobia in the South African Context

Findings

Conclusion