A theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of xenophobia in South Africa

Abstract

In the past three decades, many foreigners have experienced discrimination on South African soil, which has been and still is of critical concern. Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in xenophobic violence on foreigners residing in the many townships sprawled across South Africa, particularly those found in the metropolitan municipalities. It is further estimated that ten per cent of South Africa's almost 60 million inhabitants are African foreigners from other African countries. Consequently, even though many nationalities from around the world reside in South Africa, those who often find themselves at the apex of xenophobic attacks generally are black African immigrants from countries north of the Limpopo River. Consequently, in South Africa, the contradictions of the ideologies of Pan-Africanism, Africanism, and African nationalism as held by the current South African government (ANC) is diametrically opposed to the occurrences of xenophobia in poor townships. Given the facts as explained above, an analysis of factors such as Pan-Africanism and African nationalism as opposed to xenophobia is necessary, as reality indicates that South Africa is currently struggling to assimilate foreign immigrants into its communities - therefore indicating a need for urgent academic analysis. Against this brief backdrop of the study, the research intends to provide a theoretical dichotomy of the occurrence of the phenomenon of xenophobia in South Africa. This will be done by looking at the relationship between theories of xenophobia, ideology (Pan-Africanism), and the politics of survival, and how these factors subsequently lead to xenophobia, especially considering South Africa's history and current political climate.