n May 2008, South Africa witnessed horrendous violence directed at foreigners - some of who have lived in the country for decades. Lives and property were destroyed and thousands were displaced. Against this background, it is important to be vigilant about any evidence of a resurgence of xenophobia against African immigrants.
Regrettably, there are disturbing signs that the sordid events of 2008 may happen again. In February 2009 seven Zimbabweans, four men and three women, were found dead in a shack in an informal settlement in De Doorns near Worcester in the Western Cape. It was clear that the shack had been set alight while the occupants were inside. This heartbreaking incident laid bare ethnic tensions within the small De Doors community, with Xhosa speaking residents and Sotho speaking residents accusing each other of being responsible for the murder. The Zimbabweans attribute it to xenophobia.
Reports of people being harassed, assaulted and even killed in other parts of the Western Cape are again on the increase. Two migrant shopkeepers were recently killed in their store for an apple and a banana. The robbers took the fruit and fled when they could not open the cash register. These killings bring the number of immigrants murdered in the Western Cape recently to ten.
The South African government admits it has not done enough to fight xenophobia, but says that it is committed to eradicating it. Home Affairs minister Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula has often stated that xenophobia is a serious human rights issue. She admits that it is rife and needs to be condemned and combated. Recent events in the Western Cape underscore the need for government to do more to protect the migrant community living in South Africa.
The phenomena of migration should also be seen in its broader context. Human migration - the movement of people from their usual place of residence to another - has been with societies for as long as they have existed. Migration may be between districts, provinces or countries. Meanwhile xenophobia is generally understood to be an irrational fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers, manifesting itself in the form of prejudice, discrimination or racism.
South Africa has a long experience with human migration. Over the years significant numbers of fellow Africans have moved to the country and settled in South Africa. Indications are that this trend will continue.
Many immigrants bring with them important skills that South Africa needs. They are often creative people full of initiative, driven by an enterprising spirit and tend to impart these skills as well, enriching the local communities. This is not always appreciated by some elements within the society, and the temptation to give in to prejudice and discrimination often prevails. As has been observed in the past, South Africans easily forget the hospitality extended to them during the harsh period of apartheid.
As far back as 1997 the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) already identified xenophobia as a major source of concern to human rights and democracy in the country.
A solution that combines legislation, education programmes and partnerships to deal with this scourge is desperately needed. The history of South African immigration policy shows a number of recurrent themes. The various immigration acts passed between 1913 and 1991 were in essence products of racism, anti-Semitism and segregation. The acts continue to entrench discrimination and even the 1995 amendment of the 1991 Aliens Control Act did not modify the bulk of the legislation. Immigration legislation continues to reflect a constant marginalisation of other Africans from South Africa. Instead of being the other way round, the evolution of legislation in South Africa shows a drift towards less and less transparency and accountability.
The case of De Doorns is indeed the early warning of recurring xenophobia in South Africa and should serve as a wake-up call.
Source: Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
Regrettably, there are disturbing signs that the sordid events of 2008 may happen again. In February 2009 seven Zimbabweans, four men and three women, were found dead in a shack in an informal settlement in De Doorns near Worcester in the Western Cape. It was clear that the shack had been set alight while the occupants were inside. This heartbreaking incident laid bare ethnic tensions within the small De Doors community, with Xhosa speaking residents and Sotho speaking residents accusing each other of being responsible for the murder. The Zimbabweans attribute it to xenophobia.
Reports of people being harassed, assaulted and even killed in other parts of the Western Cape are again on the increase. Two migrant shopkeepers were recently killed in their store for an apple and a banana. The robbers took the fruit and fled when they could not open the cash register. These killings bring the number of immigrants murdered in the Western Cape recently to ten.
The South African government admits it has not done enough to fight xenophobia, but says that it is committed to eradicating it. Home Affairs minister Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula has often stated that xenophobia is a serious human rights issue. She admits that it is rife and needs to be condemned and combated. Recent events in the Western Cape underscore the need for government to do more to protect the migrant community living in South Africa.
The phenomena of migration should also be seen in its broader context. Human migration - the movement of people from their usual place of residence to another - has been with societies for as long as they have existed. Migration may be between districts, provinces or countries. Meanwhile xenophobia is generally understood to be an irrational fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers, manifesting itself in the form of prejudice, discrimination or racism.
South Africa has a long experience with human migration. Over the years significant numbers of fellow Africans have moved to the country and settled in South Africa. Indications are that this trend will continue.
Many immigrants bring with them important skills that South Africa needs. They are often creative people full of initiative, driven by an enterprising spirit and tend to impart these skills as well, enriching the local communities. This is not always appreciated by some elements within the society, and the temptation to give in to prejudice and discrimination often prevails. As has been observed in the past, South Africans easily forget the hospitality extended to them during the harsh period of apartheid.
As far back as 1997 the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) already identified xenophobia as a major source of concern to human rights and democracy in the country.A solution that combines legislation, education programmes and partnerships to deal with this scourge is desperately needed. The history of South African immigration policy shows a number of recurrent themes. The various immigration acts passed between 1913 and 1991 were in essence products of racism, anti-Semitism and segregation. The acts continue to entrench discrimination and even the 1995 amendment of the 1991 Aliens Control Act did not modify the bulk of the legislation. Immigration legislation continues to reflect a constant marginalisation of other Africans from South Africa. Instead of being the other way round, the evolution of legislation in South Africa shows a drift towards less and less transparency and accountability.
The case of De Doorns is indeed the early warning of recurring xenophobia in South Africa and should serve as a wake-up call.
Source: Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
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