XENOPHOBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA by Pafungeyi Gore

South Africa has been experiencing xenophobia especially in parts of KwaZulu Natal, and lately Johannesburg. Many people wonder why humans butcher each other as if they are killing animals. People also wonder whether this scourge of violence has only been experienced by South Africa. For the record, not only South Africa has experienced this form of discrimination or dislike of foreigners, countries like Germany once witnessed xenophobic attacks against Turkish nationals.

Xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners (strangers), or of that which is foreign or strange. This means it is fear that has been generated by several factors emanating from various sources, be it historical, culture, economic, colonial local factors. In an article titled;South Africa must confront the roots of its xenophobic violence- which appeared in the mail and guardian, one of the major reason propounded by the writer was that of colonialism. Violence in South Africa can be traced to the days of colonialism, the way colonialists treatedSouth Africans has resulted in a culture of violence. The way ethnic groups were treated in South Africa -- during the period of apartheid -- has resulted in deep seated antagonism against foreign nationals. South Africans have a feeling that whilst attacking a foreign national, the Police’s heavy handedness will not descend on them.

High unemployment rate among local youths is one of the contributing factors. The unemployment rate is over 40% among blacks, and this is compounded by labour legislation which is inappropriate for unskilled locals. Some of the foreign nationals do not have requisite papers to stay in South Africa. As a result, they are viewed by manySouth African employers as a source of cheap labour. Illegal immigrants, if ill-treated by employers in South Africa, will not report the ill-treatment to relevant authorities because of the fear of arrest or deportation. And because of lack of papers, these foreign nationals are unable to join trade unions.Hence, the concept of we are what we are because of those around us does not apply to foreign nationals because they are fragmented. Again, because of some foreign nationals’ desperate situations, they accept low wagessince half a loaf is better than nothing. It is because of these reasons that employers prefer foreigners tolocals, and this has resulted in deep seated antagonism between locals and foreign nationals. It has led to what is being witnessed today in South Africa as Black immigrants are being mainly targeted for attack.

The South African economy is white dominated. This means the Whites dominate large businesses, and the Blacks – because of new entrants in the economy -- are mainly concentrated in small businesses. In those small businesses, they still compete with better resourceful African and Asian immigrants. The Somalians operate businesses as a group, and they are successful because of their entrepreneurial skills and the unity they have when in foreign lands. Somalians also help each other establish businesses, which will result in them dominating small businesses. This has resulted in resentment against the foreigners, and the locals believe that the foreigners are benefiting from local resources more. Remember; we are not referring to industries here, but small grocery shops which might create employment for one person who happens to be the owner. But this generally angers the locals.

One of the causes of xenophobia is the wealth distribution which is skewed in favour of a few. Most Blacks are wallowing in poverty while a few whites and some top black elites are benefitting from the economy. So Blacks feel they have been shortchanged by policy makers, and they retaliate by killing foreign nationals as they view them as part of the problem also.

South Africans also feel that foreign nationals take their wives. Many foreign nationals left their wives in their home countries, so when they want sex, they approach the local women -- which mean they wil be competing with the indigenous people for wives. This also leads to hatred of foreigners, which has manifested into violence.

It suffices to note that if the xenophobic attacks persist South Africa might suffer economically. There are several South African multinational companies all over the African continent, and these companies may suffer a backlash from the locals in other countries. This will drastically reduce South Africa’s GNP. The result of the backlash has already been witnessed in Mozambique where Sasol evacuated 340 South Africans in retaliation of Mozambicans being killed in South Africa. This happens after Mozambican employees of Sasol protested against the killing of foreign nationals in South Africa. Economies do not live in isolation. For example, the cheapest route for South Africa to deliver goods to Zambia and DRCongo is by passing through Zimbabwe. Just imagine if Zimbabwe close its borders; what will be the impact of the closure to the South African economy. Imagine if Zimbabwe was to stop purchasing South African products the impact will be devastating.

The xenophobic attacks have an impact on political relations. Malawi summoned South Africa’s Ambassador to inquire about the safety of its citizens. There were unconfirmed reports that Malawi might expel the South African Ambassador if the attacks persist.

There is need for a long-term solution to the xenophobic attacks, rather than only condemning them in any strongest terms. The solution lies in reversing the economic exclusion that youths in South Africa and Africa as a whole suffer. They suffer from psychological problems like stress which, if allowed to continually persist, may result in the youths committing violence. African leaders need to grow their economies to ensure that they cater for each and every citizen. Corruption will not grow African economies but only a concerted effort to fight it will help to grow the cake.

Increasing the expenditure on the education of young people is also the way to go, be it ordinary level or acquiring of skills. There is need to increase vocational training centers so that youths acquire life serving skills, which they can use to get employment in the formal sector or start their own projects.There is need for a culture change among the youth and this can be ensured through education – on how to live in diverse cultures. This can happen when leaders also desist from utterances that fuel up hatred among the populace.

All the solution lies with us (young Africans) and those who are leading today to end the xenophobic attacks and the multiplicity of problems we face as a continent. With the emergence of the Young African Leaders Forum – the first pan-African organisation solely devoted to the collective development and well being of Africa – we believe that change will come to the Black race. Real change! If the Late Nelson Mandela fought hard to bring an end to apartheid, this generation of young Africans will fight hard to put a permanent stop to xenophobic violence in our continent; and YALF will lead that cause.

Pafungeyi Gore

YALF National Coordinator,

Zimbabwe.