Abstract
Xenophobia is the hatred, fear or dislike that is expressed in attitudes and behaviours towards non-nationals and/or perceived outsiders, and that violates human rights by denying individuals the basic right to humane treatment, because of feelings or attitudes of superiority over others. This phenomenon has attracted significant public attention and raised the quest to understand and explain its causes. This study contributes to this understanding through focusing on a particular segment of society, university students. The presence of non-nationals (foreigners) in a country does not seem to affect the citizens of that country in similar ways. Xenophobic attacks in South Africa have shown the lack of integration and tolerance of difference that is exhibited by some of the country’s citizens. Literature on xenophobia has suggested that the phenomenon is caused by issues that include poverty and unemployment, impact of the apartheid past, gender and age effects, as well as scapegoating. This study was aimed at taking these explanations and ‘testing’ them on local university students at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus. The objective here was to ascertain students’ perceptions of and attitudes towards non-nationals and to reflect on how this microcosm differed from the larger national scenario. Data was collected quantitatively, through survey questionnaires, from a sample of 262 students at the Soweto Campus. The results of the study provide support for the argument that contextual particularities of the environment or society need to be strongly considered. It was concluded that, although some issues associated with xenophobia are realised amongst university students, students generally show that they are collaborating with, and receptive to the circumstances of non-nationals. It appears from the findings of this study that perceptions of non-nationals differ across genders, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of study. It is recommended that future studies combine quantitative and qualitative methods in conducting studies on xenophobia (and related issues). This would yield results that combine statistical descriptions and the personal thoughts and feelings of the respondents. The depth and reliability of studies of this nature would also be increased. It is further recommended that studies of this nature be done comparatively at all campuses of the university as well as at universities across South Africa.
M.A. (Sociology)