The post apartheid era has failed to deal with difference and tolerance despite a progressive Constitution that embraces diversity. The intense and irrational dislike of foreign nationals and the continued exclusion of the native minorities, can thus be explained as a by-product of overt apartheid policies that led to the exclusion of South Africa from the International community. Arguably, the environment created by the policy of separation with its emphasis on boundary maintenance and tribal trust lands has negatively impacted on South Africans' ability to be tolerant of outsiders and minorities. Framed on (Harris 2002) hypotheses on xenophobia, this paper argues that the contestations over scarce resources, citizenship and political identity has formented into exclusion, persecution and displacement of both foreign nationals and native minorities in South Africa. Native minorities find themselves as victims of politics of identity and their exclusion in key strategic areas of governance and leadership is a source of hostility and intergenerational trauma. As for foreign nationals seeking greener pastures in South Africa, their situation is further exacerbated by the strategic inconsistency in the immigration and labour laws which are both isolationist and stereotypical of outsiders. Drawing from qualitative scholarship, the paper proposes a durable social inclusive theory, which seeks to reconcile divergent community groups and politicians towards embracing the spirit of Ubuntu and nation building. The social inclusive theory is a peace building initiative that aims to heal divisions of the past and solve post colonial conflicts that have caused social instability in South Africa.
Table of Contents
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The Historical Context of Apartheid and Exclusion
3. Post-1994 Social Transformation and Economic Disparities
4. Theoretical Perspectives on Xenophobia
4.1 The Scapegoating Hypothesis
4.2 The Isolation Hypothesis
4.3 The Bio-cultural Hypothesis
5. Conclusion: From Hate to Reconciliation
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the resurgence of xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa, arguing that historical legacies of exclusion and current socio-economic pressures have created a cycle of violence against foreign nationals. It seeks to analyze the root causes of this hostility and proposes a social inclusive theory based on the spirit of Ubuntu to foster national reconciliation.
- The impact of apartheid-era policies on contemporary social tolerance.
- Socio-economic factors driving tensions between local populations and immigrants.
- Analysis of xenophobia through the lenses of scapegoating, isolation, and bio-cultural identity.
- The role of citizenship and political identity in fueling social exclusion.
- Strategies for peace building and reconciliation in a post-colonial context.
Excerpt from the Book
Xenophobia can be explained well using the three hypotheses expostulated by Bronwyn Harris.
The first being the scapegoating hypotheses, which explains hostility towards foreigners in relation to limited resources such as employment, housing, healthcare and services coupled with high expectations for social change during a transition. Foreigners are thus seen as leeches which feed off on the generosity of the host country. Any deprivation or poverty faced by the locals is therefore seen to be an end product of the unwelcome foreigner. They are seen as guests who have overstayed their welcome and which results in them being rudely reminded to go back by a savage beating.
The isolation hypothesis is a by-product of Apartheid. This second theory explains xenophobia as a result of South Africa’s exclusion from the international community. There is little doubt that the environment created by apartheid with its emphasis on boundary maintenance and tribal trust lands has impacted on people’s ability to be tolerant of outsiders. This theory suggests that South Africans are unable to tolerate and accommodate difference. They find difference challenging and hard to accommodate. The Tribal Trust Lands in which most South Africans were put into made them to be alert to “strangers”. This psyche was consolidated into them by the system to such an extent that they would not appreciate a stranger in their midst. Any stranger would be a victim of name calling, the reason why they brand all African immigrants makwerekwere.
The bio-cultural hypothesis, the third theory, is quite interesting. It explains xenophobia in terms of physical biological factors and cultural differences exhibited by African foreigners. Bio-cultural reasons are used to establish whether the suspect is an immigrant or not. Zimbabweans for some reasons are identified by the way they pronounce words and also the way they talk and walk. For those from Lesotho their traditional garb is a give-away…..a blanket wrapped around the neck and gumboots even in the sultry heat. In the case of Mozambicans a dead give-away is the vaccination mark on the lower left forearm.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of the paper's argument that post-apartheid xenophobia is a byproduct of historical exclusion and contemporary economic pressures, proposing a social inclusive theory as a remedy.
1. Introduction: Sets the stage by highlighting the contradictions of the post-apartheid era where a progressive constitution exists alongside persistent intolerance and xenophobic violence.
2. The Historical Context of Apartheid and Exclusion: Examines how the apartheid regime’s policies of forced segregation and white supremacy created deep-seated trauma and social divisions that persist today.
3. Post-1994 Social Transformation and Economic Disparities: Discusses how the failure to match political change with economic prosperity led to increased friction and the scapegoating of immigrants for domestic hardships.
4. Theoretical Perspectives on Xenophobia: Analyzes the phenomenon through three primary theoretical frameworks: scapegoating, the isolation hypothesis, and the bio-cultural hypothesis.
5. Conclusion: From Hate to Reconciliation: Reflects on the irony of South Africa's current situation and advocates for a return to the values of Ubuntu and human rights to overcome the cycle of violence.
Keywords
xenophobia, apartheid, exclusion, peace building, Ubuntu, reconciliation, displacement, persecution, citizenship, immigration, human rights, social inclusive theory, identity politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the causes of xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa, analyzing how the country's history of exclusion and contemporary socio-economic challenges contribute to violence against foreign nationals.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the legacy of apartheid, the intersection of citizenship and political identity, the competition for scarce resources, and the need for peace-building initiatives.
What is the core research argument?
The paper argues that xenophobia is not just an irrational reaction but a complex result of historical policies and current systemic failures that have deepened social divisions.
Which theoretical frameworks are applied?
The author utilizes Bronwyn Harris's three hypotheses: the scapegoating hypothesis, the isolation hypothesis, and the bio-cultural hypothesis.
How is the research methodology defined?
The study relies on qualitative scholarship, historical document analysis, and the synthesis of existing sociological theories to propose a new social inclusive theory.
Which specific keywords define this study?
Key terms include xenophobia, apartheid, Ubuntu, social exclusion, displacement, and reconciliation.
How does the author define the "bio-cultural hypothesis"?
This hypothesis explains xenophobia through the lens of physical and cultural markers, such as clothing, language, or vaccination marks, which locals use to identify and target immigrants.
What role does Ubuntu play in the author’s proposed solution?
Ubuntu is presented as a philosophical framework for nation-building and peace-building, intended to help heal past divisions and foster inclusivity across divergent community groups.
What criticism does the paper level against current immigration and labor laws?
The paper argues that these laws are strategically inconsistent, isolationist, and maintain stereotypical views of outsiders, which exacerbates the plight of foreign nationals.
What is the significance of the "full circle of hate" mentioned by the author?
It refers to the irony that South Africa, which once sought refuge for its own people from international neighbors during apartheid, is now a site of violence against refugees and immigrants from those same regions.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Shepherd Mutsvara (Autor:in), 2018, From Apartheid to Xenophobia: Exploring exclusion, persecution and displacement in the post apartheid era, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/432822
