Exploring Dimensions of Post-apartheid Xenophobic Sentiments towards African Immigrants in South Africa

Abstract

The concept 'xenophobia' originates from the Greek word 'xenos' which means a 'stranger' or a 'foreigner' and 'phobo' meaning phobia which is an irrational fear of persons or groups that are regarded as 'outsiders'. Episodes of xenophobia have occurred everywhere and anywhere in the world. Throughout human history, there have been variations in the expression of xenophobia -ranging from the Jewish holocaust, ethnic cleansing and genocide, on the one hand, to periodic and wanton outbursts of xenophobic violence on the other. The phenomenon of xenophobia is dreadful, especially when voices fostering national, regional and global peace are becoming louder every day. The task of cultivating and promoting peaceful co-existence, stability and development among the people of the world is a global imperative that should receive urgent attention. This article, through a literature review methodology, discusses the underpinnings of xenophobia in South Africa. The article has identified the following factors that underpin the phenomenon of xenophobia: historical dimensions; culture of crime and violence; economic deprivation and inequalities and disillusionment with unfulfilled socio-economic benefits. The article recommends the following strategies to address xenophobia: massive community education; addressing crime and violence; strengthening the legal and institutional frames and mitigating the state of poverty.

Students’ Attitudes and Perceptions on Xenophobia: A Study of a University in Durban

“…For example, in institutional settings such as universities, xenophobic sentiments are more likely to be expressed in subtle ways but with demoralising impacts on the subjects, thereby raising concerns about the nature of xenophobic perceptions in such settings (Singh, 2013). Overall, the general persistence of xenophobic violence in the face of increasing globalisation has had dire implications for the status of South Africa on the international scene (Kang'ethe & Duma, 2013), thereby justifying the need for extensive exploration of issues of migration and attitudes towards migrants.…”

The Milieu Weighing Down Social Workers’ Effectiveness and Efficiency in South Africa: A Literature Review

“…The country in tandem with other countries in the region such as Botswana also experiences very high levels of crime and violence making some scholars to indicate the growing culture of crime and violence (Kang'ethe & Duma, 2014) and higher statistics of various forms of gender based violence (Kang'ethe, 2014c;Gender Link, 2012;Smith 2007). Perhaps the paradox that is apparent in South Africa's social service delivery is that even though various forms of social assistance from housing to food grants are provided, poverty still persists and many more disheartening experiences are apparent (Kang'ethe & Manomano, 2014).…”

The Dimensions, Perfidy and Ramifications of Teenage Pregnancies with Examples from a Few Countries of the Globe. A Literature Review

“…Perhaps this is why the call for Africans to consider going back to the roots as an approach to solve their own socio-economic problems has been listened by cultural architects and pragmatists with their third ears (Trevithick, 2005). Interpretably, this means or challenges Africans to consider their immense social capital espoused in their cultures and use it as a recipe for solutions besetting their countries (Kang'ethe, 2013). It can also be interpreted as a way of recognizing the Africans indigenous knowledge systems embedded in cultures, customs, traditions and generally people's ways of living (Kang'ethe, 2011).…”

“…The challenge, therefore, leaves researchers with assignments to come with plausible and sustainable approaches to reduce or mitigate the effects of teenage pregnancies. These researchers, who are also cultural architects, and are deeply concerned with exploring cultural ingredients from South Africa and Kenya are attempted to pull the whole world to investing their investigation into cultures in an endeavour to tap and harness their embedded social capital (Kang'ethe, 2013(Kang'ethe, , 2014a. Such social capital, they believe should form platforms for recipe of the solutions to teenage pregnancies.…”

“…Such social capital, they believe should form platforms for recipe of the solutions to teenage pregnancies. Such recipes include reclaiming cultural practices such as virginity testing, embracing sexual mores and taboos and denouncing some of the western acquired cultures and replacing them with those that are afrocentric (Kang'ethe & Duma, 2014;Kang'ethe, 2014a,b).…”