1. Xenophobic violence in South Africa: why it does more harm than good.
From Durban to Johannesburg, many South African locals have taken to the streets, armed with
knives, stones and sticks to violently protest against foreign nationals living in South Africa.
They are calling forforeigners to return to their countries of origin and have vowed to avidly
maintain their stance until their demands are met. Many locals believe that the presence of
foreign nationals is directly linked to the surge in crime rates, and has prevented them from
accessing economic opportunities and social advantages. Attacks against foreign nationals,
particularly business owners has taken the form of, looting and burning of shops, bloody
beatings and even neck-lacing, as anger seethes within local communities. Since the attacks
started twoweeks ago, a total of fivepeople and have lost their lives and many more injured,
amid growing tensions between localsand foreign nationals. While some foreign nationals have
returned to their home countries in fear, others have vowedto fight back.Foreign nationals not
affectedby the current spate of attacks fear that the violencewill spread to other parts of the
country,if the government fails to act strongly against the perpetrators of these violentacts.
Many observers, World governing bodies; including the AfricanUnion and the United Nations,
foreign diplomatic missions in South Africa and African leaders have condemned the violence in
the strongest of terms, calling for the South African government to act swiftly and decisively to
quell the violence.
Xenophobic violence is not new to South Africa. In 2008, the country experienced a waveof
violent protests and attacks directed against foreign nationals. However, this time around, many
believe that recent violencewas fuelled by inflammatory remarks made by the Zulu King—
GoodwillZwelithini, in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. He is quoted as saying that “all foreigners
should packtheir bags and go”.While the King has denied the link between his statement and
the violence, arguing that his comments were misconstrued, he has nonetheless been reported
to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for inciting violence through hate
speech.
For many foreign nationals who live in South Africa,the country represents a safe haven, free
from war and strife. It is seen as the “bread basket of Africa”,a land of equal opportunity and an
economic oasis. Many foreign nationals see South Africaas home away from home. For some, it
is the only home they now have, and have therefore fully integrated themselves into their
adopted country—SouthAfrica.However, recent attacks threatens the peaceful co-existence
between locals and foreign nationals, and has broader implications for South Africa as a whole.
First, these attacks completely disregard the political and financial assistance rendered to black
South African freedom fighters during their struggle against the Apartheid regime. It is a known
factthat many members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) sought refuge against the
Apartheid government in various African countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and
Nigeria etc, where they received formal education as wellas military training, political
assistance and intelligence, in order to fight against white supremacy in their country.Further
to this, countries like Nigeria even incorporated a mandatory tax scheme for all its civilservants,
whichwere directed towards the liberation of all South Africans from white supremacy rule.
Recent xenophobic attack is therefore a slap in the faceof the efforts, contributions and
sacrifices made by the people of Africato ensure South Africa’s liberation.
Second, it is short-sighted because it fails to acknowledgethe contributions made to the South
African economy by foreign nationals both in the formal and informal sectors. Skilled expertise
provided by foreign doctors, engineers and Information Technology (IT) specialists have gone a
long way in boosting the South Africaneconomy, making it Africa’s second largest economy,
after Nigeria. Services provided by foreign nationals in the informal sector has contributed
immensely, and helped to bolster the economy,as many unskilled non-locals continue to

2. provide cheap labour. Further to this, foreign shop owners sell their goods at lower prices and
are willing to extend credit to locals. This keeps foreign businesses afloat and prosperous, and
helps them thrive, in a country where unemployment is steadily rising. Also, many foreign
business owners provide employment for locals within these small to medium business
enterprises. If foreign nationals are forcedto “close up shop” and leave, many localswill feel the
brunt, as they will be left without jobs, whichwill worsen the plight of unemployment and cause
more social unrest.
Third, suffice it to say that the forcefulexpulsion of foreign nationals will create huge economic
backlash and cause the loss of foreign investors, whichmay send the country’s economy into a
tailspin. As it stands, countries like Zambia, Mozambique and Nigeria are pushing fora full
boycottof all South African products until the situation is resolved. South Africa currently has
significant interest in various parts of Africa,such as Multichoice(a satellite company) that
broadcasts across Africa, MTN(a mobile network) in Nigeria, Pickn Pay and Shoprite (a grocery
shopping chain) in Zambia, as wellas Mr. Price (a clothing retailer), also in Zambia, and Sasol
(an oil refinery) in Mozambique etc.However, continued violenceagainst foreign nationals will
hurt South African interest both at home and abroad, as the country risks losing African support
for its domestic products, as well as the loss of foreign investment for fears of political
uncertainty and economic instability.
Fourth, attacks against foreign nationals go against the spirit of “Ubuntu”—aterm
conceptualised by the South African people, which is loosely translated to mean humanity to
others or togetherness. This is a vision that is fostered by the South Africangovernment and its
people. As Africans we strive to be our brothers’ keepers and livetogether in peace and unity,
no matter where we find ourselves. But these attacks go against the very principle and spirit of
“Africanoneness”. They also mark growing intolerance towards people of other cultures and
ethnicity, whichseldom stops there. This is because it is cyclic innature and may soon be re-
directed at another ethnic group or race in South Africa.
Fifth, it places South African nationals living and workingin various parts of Africa in a
precarious position, amid fears of possible violent reprisals from the nationals of those
countries. In recent reports, Sasol in Mozambique has evacuated 300 of its South African staff as
a precautionary measure. However,this is not an immediate cause forconcern, as African
nationals have refrained from violentacts, and continue to stage peaceful protests at various
South African High Commissions across Africa.
Sixth, it will hurt South Africa’s global image as seen by the world, taint its political and moral
authority on the continent, and strain relations between South Africa and its African neighbours.
As a former pariah state (under the Apartheid regime), South Africa tookgreat strides under the
leadership of the late Nelson Mandela and former President Thabo Mbeki to re-integrate itself
into the global arena. It did this by providing a welcomingenvironment for immigrants and
foreign investors alike, taking a position of leadership in resolving conflictsin African countries
experiencing war, and promoting itself on the international stage. But these recent attacks seek
to undo the sacrifices and efforts made by past and present leaders to ensure that South Africa
is never again “forgotten” and remains a prominent player in the international scene.
In conclusion, I end with the words of former South African President, humanitarian and
Statesman—Nelson Mandela.
“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought
against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal
of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal
opportunities. It is an ideal whichI hope to live forand to achieve…”