Xenophobia Essay

Nature

Xenophobia is the “intense or irrational dislike, hatred or fear of people from other countries” - it has to be regarded as purely discriminating and racist towards foreigners and minority groups. Xenophobia can be defined as the relations of an “ingroup” (South Africans) towards an “outgroup" (foreigners) in a specific way or manner, such as physical/verbal abuse. It includes the fear of losing identity, general suspicion, aggression and desire to eliminate the outgroup’s presence to secure control. It is therefore directly linked to racism and intolerance towards another group.

All refugees or foreigners are entitled to health care, to seek employment and to education (and further human rights), as stated in the Refugee Act, in the same way as South African citizens. It also states that all people in the country are entitled to the rights stated in Chapter Two of the constitution

Xenophobia can be divided into two forms: The first form includes a population group that is not considered to be part of the society in which they live. This often includes immigrants from other countries, who have either fled their home country, or are in search of better lives. However, it may also be directed towards a group that has been part of the society for centuries, such as the Jewish population in the Third Reich. This will result in violent and aggressive reactions towards the group, such as mass expulsions, pogroms or genocide. The second form is mainly cultural, under which cultural elements are considered “extraterrestrial”. This occurs when a certain culture, as all cultures, is externally influenced and adapts external elements while replacing existing elements.

It is of the utmost importance to note that xenophobic attacks...

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...ay also be a feeling of superiority compared to other Africans that causes these xenophobic reactions.

Race relations: Under Nelson Mandela, race relations were improved under race based policy and legislation. Thabo Mbeki, however, re-enforced differences and assigned values based on race. This may be a direct cause.

It is difficult to identify the main cause of xenophobia as negative attitudes are so widespread. Similar attitudes are expressed by every “type” of South African: the rich and the poor, blacks and whites, the conservatives and radicals, etc. A classic pattern, however, emerges - the unskilled, uneducated and unemployed display much more negative attitudes and behaviour.

I therefore conclude that the main causes include intense competition for jobs, commodities and housing, feeling of superiority, socio-economic issues and peer pressure/imitations.