Abstract
M.A.
This study emerged out of the understanding that xenophobia has become a
contentious issue in South Africa. International migrants have increasingly become
victims of xenophobia at the hands of South African citizens. It was anchored by a
commitment to shed some light on the nature of xenophobia in South Africa by
examining the experiences of international students in Johannesburg. There is, indeed,
evidence of some tension between a fraction of the South African population and
international migrants from other African countries. In examining the experiences of
international students and their views about xenophobia, the study concluded that the
country’s segregated history was a contributing factor to the negative behaviour of
citizens towards non-citizens. Although international students have the potential to
strengthen both the development of South African institutions of higher learning and
the economy at large, they are, instead sometimes regarded as being here to disrupt
the social order. Even though all international students share the same sense of need
to meet and get along with others in the new country, African students endure special
difficulties. For, whatever unfortunate reasons, some universities seem not to be doing
much to enlighten their local students about other African countries, cultures and
histories. Students from elsewhere in Africa often find their South African classmates
to be rather uninformed when it comes to appreciating their heritage. This lack of
knowledge often sets the stage for xenophobic sentiments between the locals,
international migrants in general, and international students in particular.
Prof. P. Alexander