AFRO-XENOPHOBIA: THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA

          It is with much lamentation that I write this. My heart has been shattered by the inhuman, horrendous and totally unnecessary violent attacks on foreigners-black foreigners-in South Africa. My sympathies go out to all victims and their families, and on the attackers and their supporters I wish a change of heart, justice and punishment.  In my opinion, these murderous acts are not “xenophobic” in the sense of the word because they are NOT targeted at ALL foreigners. Rather, they are targeted at “BLACK AFRICANS”. The Caucasian and Asian population are not being victimized and persecuted, at least not to the extent or on the scale of Black, African immigrants. This is why I labeled the case “AFRO-XENOPHOBIA” which I define as “an excessive hatred of black African expatriates”. This is not the first time Afro-Xenophobia has reared its ugly head in the “Rainbow nation”. There were similar attacks in Cape Town in 2006, Johannesburg in 2008, and as recently as last year and January, 2015 according to Human Rights Watch. When I heard of the recent attacks, I felt compelled to begin an earnest search for the factors that fuelled such atrocities. Information I have gathered through the media alleges that the attacks were triggered by a speech from Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in which he is quoted as saying foreigners “should pack their bags and go” because they are stealing jobs from citizens. Other sources i.e. The United Nations, say the attacks follow labor disputes between citizens and migrant workers. I believe both sources are right though only partly. Being the curious analyst I am, I have taken time to analyze the situation in search for answers to the baffling question “WHY?” Here is what I have unearthed.

First of all, South Africa has a high rate of unemployment (about 24%) and even higher among black South Africans. Independence in 1994 and the subsequent reconciliatory efforts of the late icon Nelson “MADIBA” Mandela opened the doors of a fledging and prosperous nation to the world and people were attracted to the vibrant economy, the comparatively higher standards of living and the new opportunities. Others, like refugees from Somalia and Eritrea sought safety from violent conflict back home. Currently, South Africa’s migrant population is about 2 million, approximately 4% of the population, adding to a rapidly rising population, high poverty rate, high crime rate and rising unemployment. This has created widespread frustrations with the Zuma administration and its alleged incompetence in handling the country’s immigration and economic policies. With such pent up frustrations and anger comes the tendency for the people to vent their anger on those whom they perceive as the cause of their woes, in the case of South Africa, that was the migrant population.

Until it ceded its position to Nigeria in 2014, South Africa had long been the largest economy in Africa, riding on the back of rich mineral deposits like gold and platinum as well as a fledging manufacturing industry and ever expanding service sector. Unfortunately, this laudable economic growth created vast economic inequalities as postulated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation among others. This inequality coupled with the huge influx of people from other African countries and from Asia- notably Bangladesh and Pakistan - put added pressures on native black South Africans who have historically had low literacy rates and therefore could not find well-paying high-level jobs. To make matters worse, these poor, uneducated South African lower class also lost out to immigrants in the informal business sector as well. As an owner of a “spaza” (a small store) reported to BBC, unlike the locals, foreigners form self-help groups and pool funds to buy goods in bulk and at cheaper prices, creating a revolving fund with which they expanded and sustained their small individual businesses. Similarly, skilled and well educated migrants flooded the job market and began establishing themselves in the middle class because the bulk of South Africa’s black population is not very highly educated. This has created a long standing and deep resentment for foreigners among some locals, all it takes are few fiery words and divisive rhetoric to fuel violent xenophobic attacks.

          But then, why aren’t non-blacks attacked on similarly violent and large scale? The answer lies I South Africa’s political history. Following independence in 1994 and years of reconciliation led by Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africans have come to recognize and accept white and Asian South Africans as fellow citizens. The inter-relations that forged a multi-racial citizenry has almost totally eliminated the perceived racial differences that exist among black, white and Asian South Africans. Overtime, this coexistence has made it almost impossible to distinguish non-black South Africans from Caucasian and Asian tourists and immigrants. In fact, the South Africans have devised an informal identification system which distinguishes among immigrants. It might surprise you to know that in South Africa, black African immigrants are called “Africans” while all others are simply “expats” and while the general resentment is greater towards “Africans” the “expats” are better tolerated. Thus, many South Africans subconsciously have a greater affinity and tolerance for non-black migrants than for Africans.

          Moreover, this same multi-racial nationality of South Africa has put the country in what I call a “continental-identity crisis”. Many South Africans do not “fully” identify with the country’s continental affiliation. To many, South Africa is a “globe-state” of diverse cultural, racial and national backgrounds which just happens to be on the Southern tip of Africa.  Admittedly, South Africa’s position makes it difficult to engage with other African countries, especially those in West Central Africa.  And given that migrants from these areas pose the greatest competition for the menial, low-end jobs that many black South Africans seek, it is not very surprising that they are accused of and victimized for snatching jobs from the locals. With rising unemployment and poverty, native South Africans are running out of jobs and are now demanding the positions of foreigners, especially those in the blue collar sector who are-you guessed it- overwhelmingly African.

          I find it rather troubling that an illiterate local will attack a migrant doctor, teacher or nurse for snatching his job but that is what the historical, cultural and dire economic situations have degenerated a few South Africans to- murderous hooligans hiding behind culture and ultra-nationalism to feed their jealousy and resentment. For a country that endured the pains of apartheid, it is heart-wrenching that South Africa is home to such horrendous crimes against humanity. The blood of the innocent victims call for justice and I stand with them with mine.

#STOPXENOPHOBIA.