The 2015 xenophobic attacks are a fresh reminder of anti-immigrant sentiments in South Africa. Since the 2008 xenophobic violence in the country, there has been a growing literature on xenophobia in South Africa. This article contributes to the existing discourse by employing levels of analysis as its analytical framework to analyse the recurrent anti-immigrant attitudes and attacks in South Africa. It concludes that xenophobia is indeed pervasive and that effectively ameliorating this pathology requires a conscious and comprehensive diagnosis of the manifestation of xenophobia at the individual, state and interstate levels.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Given terrorists’ use of violence in pursuit of their objectives and violent counter-terrorism measures, terrorism is not often associated with soft power. Nevertheless, terrorist organisations subscribe to ideologies that are appealing to certain individuals and/or segments within their immediate environment and beyond. Similarly, counter-terrorism initiatives that embrace the utility of soft power might be more successful than those that rely on the use of naked force. While the soft power of terrorist organisations has received scant attention, there has been modest scholarly inquiry into a soft power approach to counter-terrorism. However, no comprehensive research has been conducted on the place of soft power in Boko Haram’s activities and the Nigerian government’s efforts to end their campaign. This article offers a new perspective to the burgeoning literature on Boko Haram terrorism by examining whether or not it possesses elements of soft power that are appealing to certain Nigerians. It also examines if the Nigerian government has adopted a soft power approach in its counter-terrorism efforts. The article concludes that effectively tackling the sect will require a smart power strategy.

While there is a rich body of scholarly literature on China's soft power, it has tended to focus on how China's soft power currencies complement its hard-power resources. Little is known about how China wields its soft power currencies in strategic regions, as the literature has focused on a particular region, particularly Asia and Africa. Thus, this study examines China's geopolitical influence, drawing attention to its soft power currencies in Africa and the Middle East. It employs both primary and secondary data. The primary data were personal in-depth interviews and internet polls. Interviews were conducted with experts, particularly in the field of international relations. Using purposive sampling, these experts were drawn from the United States, China, South Africa and Nigeria. Low-cadre bureaucrats were also interviewed. The study argues that China's soft power in Africa and the Middle East is a double-edged sword. While some appreciate China's presence in these regions, others are either ambivalent or have negative perceptions of this Asian powerhouse. The study concludes that China still requires huge investment in its soft power in order to win the hearts and minds of the majority of the citizens in these regions.

Africa has struggled to counteract the negative images (ranging from diseases to war, terrorism, poverty, and crime) that it evokes in the eyes of the global audience. This has punctured Africa's soft power potential and undermined its influence in the global arena, creating the need for the development of a strong and acceptable normative and strategic framework. In this regard, Agenda 2063's strong commitment to the African Renaissance and a different and better Africa is critical. The article thus examines the potential of Agenda 2063's Aspirations 3, 4, and 5 to enhance the continent's soft power and boost its standing in the international system.

No abstract