Abstract
M.Phil.
South Africa with its associated emerging economy is faced with many challenges that spring from socio-economic issues. This laid the cornerstone for increased competition in business opportunities, social services and employment amongst and within highly challenged communities. Xenophobia occurs often and regularly in South Africa and it is expressed as a negative attitude towards people from other countries in this case with specific reference to other Africans from Africa. This study aimed to understand xenophobia as a contextual factor and how it affects South Africa as an emerging economy.
The research design was qualitative in nature. Primary data was collected using a purposeful sample and by conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Seven individuals were selected based on their involvement and knowledge within the field of xenophobia. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. Secondary data were collected by consulting relevant and significant media reports, policy documents and Government Reports. Thematic analysis and Content analysis were applied to extract themes from data gathered.
The key findings of the study were that xenophobia is a symptom of a much deeper problem in South Africa. The issue of xenophobia in South Africa can be related to governance issues. What came out strongly was that South Africa’s widening gap between the rich and poor is a major contributory factor to xenophobia. Incidents of violence take place in the context of growing economic inequality, poverty and high unemployment all of which provided a combustible environment which is a typical characteristic of an emerging economy. Micro-politics at township level encouraged xenophobic violence and local political players organised and led the violence. This is an attempt to claim and consolidate the authority and power needed to further their economic and political interests. Xenophobia and the violence related to it deeply damaged South Africa’s moral authority and world image. A pre-eminent understanding of xenophobia, as a phenomenon within the South African context, is presented as an unintended outcome of this study by means of a conceptual framework. This framework attempts to map the factors, and their interrelationship, with, between and amongst each other, as well as with xenophobia.
From a practical viewpoint it is strongly recommend that on local level, authorities (elected and non-elected) roles need to be addressed and that their leadership should be held accountable for incidents of xenophobia. It is further strongly recommended that those government departments responsible for migration policy formulation must consider...