Abstract
Major townships of South Africa namely Soweto,
Khayelitsha and Umlazi lost the opportunity to attract
and retain migrants businesses because of violent
xenophobic attacks of migrants who ran businesses as
sources of self-employment. Many of the businesses
ran by migrant business men and women had to shut
down because of personal attacks, looting and other
violent attacks directed to them. It was in May, 2008
when the xenophobic attacks were seen again in South
African townships. Organized business structures such
as NAFCOC did not show interest in protecting the
business interests and properties of their counterparts.
This is a reflection study on this subject area and seeks
to inspire further extensive research in this area.
However, it has become evident that townships are
less attractive locations for conducting business given
service delivery protest which end up as opportunities
for looting and disrupting business.