International dimensions of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa

Abstract

Xenophobia has been described by many as the fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers being embodied in discriminatory attitudes and behavior that often result in violence, abuses of all types, and exhibitions of hatred. While xenophobic sentiments continue to be strongly entrenched in developed countries, increasing incidents have been reported in developing African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and particularly in South Africa. The past violent outbreaks of xenophobic attacks, which resulted in the deaths of many foreign nationals in South Africa, threatens not only the lives and livelihoods of refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants and other locally defined ‘outsiders’ including domestic migrants and ethnic minorities, but also the health, education, tourism and economic sectors of our “Rainbow Nation”. This research adopted a qualitative research method and was guided through five research questions; (1) what are the causes of xenophobia in South Africa? (2) What is the impact of xenophobia on foreign nationals living in South Africa? (3) What are the reactions of other nations to the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa? (4) What are the economic implications of xenophobia to South Africa? The research participants were three representatives from each of seven foreign High Commissions in South Africa whose nationals were affected in one way or the other namely Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Congo and Zambia High Commissions, and 3 representatives from DIRCO, giving a total of 24 participants. A total of five out of the 24 participants responded to the research questions provided. From the five respondents, it was evidently clear that the causes of the past waves of xenophobic violence were twofold: context and underlying causes. The context was the living conditions in the affected communities; characterized by poor service delivery (often poor living conditions in squatter camps or shacks and poor sanitation facilities), job insecurities and peace jobs. The underlying causes were the local’s frustrations with and perception of foreigners taking their jobs and their women. In addition, there were specific triggers such as statements made by high profile personalities; but whether or not such statements were said out of good faith or not, derogatory and racist statements made by high profile elites and government officials can be a catalyst factor to spark xenophobic violence toward foreign black nationals. These acts of violence left many foreign-owned shops and properties destroyed, a handful of foreigners’ dead, majority displaced and some returned back to their home countries for fear of what might happen next. The country saw a decrease in the number of tourists from the SADC communities as well as other African states, decrease in manufacturing production, mineral sales amongst others.

In conclusion, South Africans generally do not welcome diversity; as a result xenophobia persists in South Africa and will continue to pose significant threats not only to foreign nationals and some locals, but also to the economy, tourism and migration, manufacturing as well as mining sectors in the country. Above all, acts of xenophobic violence on foreign nationals put a strain on the international relations South Africa has firmly established with their foreign counterparts. Therefore, the current South African government needs to reinforce their policies and address the underlying issues facing the country, and strongly emphasize to their nationals the negative impacts that violent acts of xenophobia have on the country.