The socio-political impact of xenophobic violence in South Africa and strategies for deterrence An African renaissance perspective

Abstract

In 2008, 2015 and 2022, South Africa experienced the scourge of xenophobia. The latest of these incidents also saw the emergence of Operation Dudula, a vigilante group that advocated for the expulsion of immigrants from South Africa. One of the main reasons given was that immigrants were perpetrating criminal activities. As most African immigrants in South Africa are not registered with a trade union, they are often targeted by the business world as cheap labour. Unfortunately, this ends up giving the impression that foreigners are taking jobs from South Africans. Using documentary analysis, this article unpacks the factors behind xenophobic incidents often experienced in South Africa and its socio-political impact. It is argued that there is a need to look at these violent incidents from a more informed perspective to deal with the root causes. Whereas most studies on xenophobia have focused on its repercussions, this article takes a different approach: It argues that the root cause of xenophobia needs to be examined more closely from an African perspective. The African Renaissance perspective was embraced in writing this article because it is considered more encompassing than other perspectives.