An assessment of the effects of xenophobia on social integration in Isiphingo, KwaZulu-Natal province
Over two decades after South Africa’s initial democratic ‘baptism’; the country still struggles with social integration. With clear traces of its segregated, discriminatory past, the country continues to experience high levels of violence against foreign nationals; particularly African foreign nationals. Former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela, proclaimed the country as a rainbow nation, one which will accommodate people of different nationalities and backgrounds. However, the world observed the occurrence of the much-publicized xenophobic attacks in 2008 and 2015. These attacks left many foreign nationals destitute, some dead and others displaced. Historically during the apartheid era, South Africans found refuge in neighbouring African countries, mostly in the Southern African region. However, recent migration pattern reveals a reverse as other parts of the continent face political unrests and wars leading more Africans to seek refuge in South Africa and other parts of the continent and world. Sequel to the 2015 xenophobic violent outburst that first erupted in Isiphingo, the study assessed the effects of xenophobia on Social Integration in the society (Isiphingo). Prior to 2008 much publicized xenophobic violence it is a fact that Black foreign nationals are often attacked compared to other nationals. The study examined the role played by the South African government in enhancing social integration and eradicating xenophobia. The study argues that there are negative implications associated with the persistence of xenophobic violence towards foreign nationals, African foreign nationals in particular. This may hinder regional integration with other African countries in future. The study reveals that South Africa’s previous experience of isolation from the international arena, government officials and the media are contributory factors which incite violence towards foreign nationals. Citizens lack proper understanding and knowledge in understanding the different categories of foreign nationals and the nature of their problems in their countries of origins. The results reveal that the South African government has been in denial of the existence of xenophobia in the country. Some expectations have been put on the government in correcting the mistakes of the past. However, at the realisation that change is not immediate South Africans retaliate and foreign nationals are used as scapegoats of these frustrations. There is no specific law that addresses xenophobic violence, and there has been a significant failure on the side of the government in addressing the root causes of xenophobia in South Africa. The study came with several recommendations, one being that the government of South Africa should not deny the existence of xenophobia in the country this will help in eradicating IX | Page it. There is a great need to come up with specific laws and policies that address the problem of xenophobia.
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