Attacks In South Africa Research Articles

Migrants and Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa: Theory and Evidence

Acts of xenophobia are a persistent feature of life in South Africa. Daily animosity often spills over into violence against both locals and mostly migrants and their economic enterprises. One argument is that xenophobia has characterized post-apartheid South Africa partly due to increased migration flows. Can migration cause xenophobia? Using data from Xenowatch Reports, we examine the impact of migration flows from Zimbabwe on the onset and persistence of acts of collective violence targeted at foreign nationals’ lives and their foreign-owned businesses in South Africa. Results show that increased migration flows from Zimbabwe into South Africa leads to ethnic polarization, cultural diversity, and intolerance by residents toward immigrants. The variable migrants has a positive but statistically insignificant effect on xenophobia. However, migration can impact xenophobia through inducing ethnic fractionalization, cultural diversity and ethnic polarization, intolerance, and hostility with the coefficients of ethnic fractionalization and cultural diversity being positive and statistically significant and supporting the hypothesis that more migration flows from Zimbabwe lead to more xenophobic attacks in South Africa. These findings aid our understanding of the economic consequences of xenophobia. JEL codes: Q15, Q32, Q54

Situating Dashed Prospects of Independence into the Xenophobic Narrative in South Africa

Xenophobia in South Africa is often depicted as anti-immigrant sentiments and stereotypes that emanate from social, political, and economic misconceptions. This paper argues that though the causes of xenophobia are many and complex, they stem from the dashed hopes of independence and the legacy of apartheid. This narrative has over the years been overshadowed by the view that xenophobic attacks in South Africa are a product of hate and anti-migration. We argue that the failure of successive governments of the ANC to correct the wrongs of the apartheid past and make the economy inclusive has stoked the tensions between citizens and foreign nationals. To underscore this point, this paper undertakes a discussion on the pertinent implications of the political trajectory of xenophobia in South Africa and makes some recommendations on what can be done to reduce incidences of xenophobic attacks in the future.

Addressing the Emerging Issues of Xenophobic Attack and Human Rights Violations in South Africa: Adopting a Human Rights-Based Approach

Human Rights abuses in South Africa occasioned by xenophobic attacks in South Africa had occurred intermittently for over a decade despite the hue and cry against xenophobia. Driven primarily by efforts to protect human life and overcome the challenges of xenophobia, some international human rights organisations expressed their views on the curtailment of human rights abuses perpetrated in South Africa. Contextually, South- Africa has notable human rights organisations, yet human rights abuses happen through xenophobic attacks in some parts of the country. The primary objective of this paper is to identify human rights challenges brought about by xenophobic attacks, including the right to human dignity and the right to life. This methodology adopted in this paper included reference to statutes, internet sources, and newspaper publications. This paper finds, amongst others, that despite the United Nations conventions and other international laws guaranteeing the human rights of all persons, the South African government appeared overwhelmed by the xenophobic attacks in dealing with the situation. This paper made useful recommendations towards preventing future xenophobic attacks and avoiding human rights violations.

Recovery from Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa. A Perspective of Congolese Refugees Living in Durban, South Africa

This study examines victims’ post-xenophobic recovery strategies, with specific attention to the xenophobic attacks of 2015 against Congolese refugees living in Durban, South Africa. It is a qualitative study using an interpretative approach. Data was collected using the snowball sampling technique and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 10 participants. The results showed that xenophobic attacks of 2015 against Congolese refugees were devastating, in part because their socio-economic conditions had been precarious even before the xenophobic attacks. The findings showed that while Congolese refugees that were affected by xenophobic attacks are recovering and have tried different strategies to recover, these strategies remain ineffective in the face of myriads of challenges they have to confront as a vulnerable group. Most refugees had to rely for support on relatives and friends who are also refugees with limited resources. Non-governmental organizations played an important role, but their support was limited to some extent and did not allow Congolese refugees to recover effectively. Keywords: Recovery, Xenophobic attacks, Congolese refugees, Durban, South Africa

Framing of the 2019 Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa in Selected African Newspapers

Framing of the 2019 Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa in Selected African Newspapers

Xenophobia in urban spaces: Analyzing the drivers and social justice goals from the Ugandan-Asian debacle of 1972 and xenophobic attacks in South Africa (2008-2019)

Xenophobic attacks have long been prevalent in post-independence Africa, as shown by the expulsion of Ugandans of Asian origin from Uganda in 1972. Post-apartheid South Africa has experienced continuous xenophobic attacks on Africans since 2008. In both cases the attacks were not framed as xenophobic by the state. Instead, they were framed within a socio-economic context, where the targeted groups were criminalized and securitised by the general population. The goal of this qualitative study is to analyse the drivers and social justice goals of xenophobia in urban spaces. This is done by looking into case studies of the 1972 Ugandan-Asian expulsion in Uganda, and the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa (2008–2019). The case studies provide key debates surrounding the drivers and social justice goals of xenophobic attacks in both Uganda and South Africa. The paper thus examines the relative deprivation in both countries, which assists in explaining the onset of the xenophobic attacks. Findings are that although the Ugandan-Asian debacle and xenophobic attacks in South Africa were triggered by drivers such as income inequality, inter-group hatred, racism, poverty, unemployment and competition for resources, the quest for social justice emanating from historical socio-economic grievances was deeply entrenched in both cases. Yet the paper further argues that rather than addressing social injustice, xenophobia perpetuates it by creating new victims and shielding the governments from the spotlight on their failings especially in addressing poverty, inequality, and overall access to economic opportunities to mention but a few. The paper recommends a need for political will to tackle xenophobia and the socio-economic challenges and a need for community dialogue and inter-community linkages crucial when dealing with grievances.

Xenophobic Attacks and Nigeria – South Africa Relations, 2008-2018

Purpose: This research aimed at examining the dynamics of bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa, despite violent attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
 Methodology: The research design adopted in this study was descriptive, that depended on judgmental sampling technique. Secondary source of data collection (books, journal articles, monographs, internet materials among others) were sourced from Nigerian libraries and internet. These materials were subjected to content validity before analyzed qualitatively into the study. In order to deepen the understanding of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, relative deprivation theory served as an explanatory tool.
 Findings: Findings revealed that unemployment in Nigeria fostered unnecessary migration of Nigerian youths to South Africa, thereby, triggering the xenophobic attacks against them by South African youths who are also searching for job opportunities. Though, Xenophobic attacks have not resulted in diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa, there are possible implications for political, economic and trade relations between the two states, according to findings.
 Recommendations: The paper recommends job creation for Nigerian youths in both public and private sector, strengthening of Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission, which has been moribund, as well as internationalization of South Africa domestic environment. These are panacea for xenophobic attacks in South Africa against Nigerians.

Mobilizing Ubuntu as the Unifying Language for the Descendants of Bantu during Xenophobic/Afrophobic Attacks in South Africa

Mobilizing Ubuntu as the Unifying Language for the Descendants of Bantu during Xenophobic/Afrophobic Attacks in South Africa

Political Economy, Ethnocentrism and big Brother Mentality in Framing Xenophobia: South African, Zimbabwean and Nigerian Newspapers

ABSTRACT Using textual analysis, this study compares and contrasts how newspapers from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and South Africa—countries at the centre of the September 2019 xenophobic attacks in South Africa—under different ownership patterns defined the problem of xenophobia, its causes and solutions. Understanding how xenophobia was framed is important, for it has implications on policy formulations in dealing with immigration. The study finds that although there were common frames across the newspapers, there were also significant differences between newspapers from sending and receiving countries. Privately controlled newspapers also framed the crisis differently as compared to government or publicly controlled newspapers.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF THE SUNDAY TIMES E-EDITION AND TIMESLIVE

Ponte Academic JournalApr 2022, Volume 78, Issue 4 MEDIA COVERAGE OF XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF THE SUNDAY TIMES E-EDITION AND TIMESLIVEAuthor(s): Yolokazi Nokwe ,Nisha Ramlutchman, Shaun RuggunanJ. Ponte - Apr 2022 - Volume 78 - Issue 4 doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2022.4.5 Abstract:News media play an important role in not only informing the public, but also in shaping public opinion. Whether unconsciously, or consciously, the media frame and set the agenda of news by the selection of news items. In doing so, public opinion is thus shaped and framed. It is therefore imperative and critical that news is presented in a fair, unbiased and responsible manner. This paper analysed online media coverage of the April 2015 xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Specifically, the focus was on the Sunday Times E-edition and its counterpart TimesLive. Online news articles result in the rapid dissemination of news stories and therefore have the potential to influence and precipitate discourse on a range of issues. The April 2015 xenophobic attacks resulted in extensive media coverage across South Africa and prompted both national, pan-African and global discourse. The research employed a qualitative research methodological approach through a thematic analysis of selected online newspaper articles focusing on the xenophobic attacks. The findings revealed that although the media under analysis reported on the event in a fair manner, priority was given to news items focusing on violent xenophobic attacks rather than other related news stories (like, for example, protest marches against the xenophobic attacks). Download full text:Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution Username Password

Unemployment and Youth Restiveness in Africa: Implications for Counselling

Restiveness among youths has become one of the nagging global challenges. Consequently, its prevalence in Africa has become more worrisome now than ever before. This paper therefore examined unemployment and the incidences of youth restiveness in Africa: Implication for counseling. The paper adopted a qualitative approach relying mainly on secondary materials from documented evidences. Available data indicates persistent rise in the level of unemployment across different African countries. By the same token there have also been high incidences of restiveness among the youths in Africa within the same period. However, the paper brought to the fore specific instances of restiveness in select African countries namely; militancy and insurgency in Nigeria Niger Delta, xenophobic attacks in South Africa, socio-political crises in southern Cameroun, ethnic and religiously motivated restiveness in Mali and rising piracy and terrorism in Somalia as case studies. The paper identified poverty, unemployment, socio-economic and political inequality and marginalization as factors of youth restiveness. These factors no doubt are in high prevalence in Africa. Given the scenario, the implication for counseling is of great consequence as the concern revolves around how counselling services can be leveraged in the context so that the youths can be properly engaged to embrace genuine efforts towards self-development, skills acquisition, self-reliance and nation building. It is argued that the solution to unemployment and youth restiveness problems lie in part on counsellors constructive engagement with youths, on awareness creation through the media, education of the youth towards self-realization and on their pivotal roles in nation building.

South Africa: from apartheid to xenophobia

How to explain the violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa in recent years? Two militant South African activists, Leonard Gentle and Noor Nieftagodien, interviewed here, analyse the race/class bases for the anti-foreigner violence in terms of the echoes/reverberations of apartheid and the rise of neoliberalism. They argue that remnants of apartheid have endured through the reproduction of racial and tribal categories, which has contributed to the entrenchment of exclusionary nationalist politics and the fragmentation of black unity. South Africa’s specific history of capitalist development, the African National Congress’s embraces of neoliberalism, on the one hand, and rainbowism, on the other, have produced the underlying conditions of precarity and desperation that resulted in the normalisation of xenophobia. The unions, too, have failed to recognise the new shape of the ‘working class’. Gentle and Nieftagodien outline the need to contend with the broader social conditions, the global economic crisis, neoliberalism and the deep inequalities it engenders in order to counteract the rising tide of xenophobia and build working-class unity.

Reflections on Renewed Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa : A Continued Violation of the Bill of Rights Enshrined in the 1996 Constitution

Reflections on Renewed Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa : A Continued Violation of the Bill of Rights Enshrined in the 1996 Constitution

Revealing the value of geospatial information with isochrone maps for improving the management of heart attacks in South Africa

An isoline connects points that have the same value, while an isochrone connects points on a map with the same travel time to a point. They are useful, amongst others, for transportation planning (...

Xenophobia and subaltern theatre in post-colonial African identities

ABSTRACT This study is a rhetorical criticism of the relationship between theatre, the concept of subalternity and xenophobia in post-colonial African identities. It places theatre in the frame of nativism, belonging and migration in Africa. Cases of apartheid and colonial system in South Africa and Zimbabwe, respectively, demonstrate the use of theatre in advancing antagonism against colonialism by using topics of identities and nationhood. This characteristic has manifested in contemporary subaltern theatre in challenging xenophobia, political rhetoric and ethno-politico narratives in post-independent Africa. The study analyses Burn Mukwerekwere Burn (2008), a play by Blessing Hungwe based on the 2008 xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Ubuntu’s philosophy and the challenge of Xenophobia: towards peace in Africa

Xenophobic attacks in South Africa have put to question the authenticity and veracity of Ubuntu philosophy. Remarkably, Ubuntu as a normative philosophy, promotes and conveys the openness and availability of the individuals for the benefits of others, especially in the paradigm of “I” and “others.” This philosophy unequivocally presents an African world view of care for others, the affirmation of the existence of others and the participation of others. Altruism, which is the western version of Ubuntu, encourages show of compassion, generosity, care and living with others. Yet, the resurgence of the xenophobic attack is a signpost of misguided individuals who have lost the traits of personhood and otherness, which are central in Ubuntu. Xenophobia breeds violence, hate, destruction of lives and property and threatens peace in Africa. Cognizant of this asymmetry between Ubuntu philosophy and xenophobia lineaments, this work attempts to restate a mutual need for African togetherness and maps a commitment to Ubuntu norms.

Afro-centrism as the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy: A historical misnomer in the aftermath of xenophobic attacks in South Africa

This study examines the relationship between Africa centeredness of Nigeria’s foreign policy and the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in some African states. It argues that Nigeria’s utili...

The Implication of Xenophobic Violence on Nigeria-South Africa Relations

The renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa on Nigerians and other Africans is an ugly trend that raises serious concern among experts and analysts of foreign relations. The latest scenario in Pretoria has resulted in the loss of innocent lives and valuable properties destroyed by some militant youths in South Africa. According to Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Advisor, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the country has lost about 116 nationals due to the unlawful acts of some hoodlums in South Africa. This remains a significant setback and which poses a threat to the external relations of Nigeria and South Africa. The research relies on secondary data, such as journals, books, Internet materials, newspaper and official communications between South Africa and Nigeria. The ugly trend of xenophobic attack has resulted in a cold war between Nigeria and South Africa in their socio-economic and political relationships. However, the paper infers that adequate actions are required to be taken to restore and guarantee peace for the immigrants residing in South Africa. Failure to curb the menace of xenophobic violence in South Africa might degenerate into regional conflict which invariably will affect the relationship between both nations in all ramifications. The research contributes to existing literature on the issue of xenophobic attack and its impact on foreign relations; it also gives insight on the recent xenophobic attack which occurred in 2017 and its impact on Nigeria and South Africa relations.

Determinants of the Return Migration of Household Heads from South Eastern Zimbabwe to South Africa During Prolonged Crisis, 2000-16

The study assessed return migration by heads of households that migrated during the prolonged crisis, 2000-16. It collected data among 166 households from four districts in South Eastern Zimbabwe. Most of the male household heads had previously migrated, half of them to South Africa. Non-migrant heads were mainly females who remained behind when their husbands migrated to South Africa or urban areas. Both heads who returned from migrating to South Africa and locally to urban areas came back during 2011-15 with the desire to reunite with families. This period was associated with severe retrenchments by Zimbabwean companies that attempted to survive the shrinking economy. Yet it was also an attractive period to return home for international migrants because of the stability brought by the adoption of multiple currencies. Xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2015 also ‘pushed’ some of the heads into returning home. International return migrants were significantly younger and had lower levels of education than internal and non-migrants. Three-tenths of them returned into households having traditional huts as their main houses which suggested that migration was unsuccessful for them. There is a need for restoration of stability soon after a crisis since this helps attract back human capital.

A contextualisation of the 2008 and 2015 xenophobic attacks: Tracing South African necropolitics

It has been a decade since the 2008 xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Reflecting on these, this article rethinks xenophobia in the country by positioning it as an inevitable and unavoidable symptom of the nation-building project. By connecting the 2008 attacks to similar violence in 2015, it traces socially and politically embedded attitudes that contribute to an environment of hostility and intolerance. The article suggests that these perspectives and policies are fundamentally connected to the necropower that defines South Africanness. It links the violence to historical trends and decisions, and shows that discourses of denialism and exceptionalism are necropolitical in that they render certain bodies as worthy of life in the country, and relegate migrant bodies to zones of figurative and literal death. As such, the article implies that a perspective beyond the confines of nationhood is needed to effect change. In this, a necropolitical lens provides intersectional insight into the last decade of violence and works towards a critique of a simple binary of inclusion/exclusion.