Xenophobia or Afro phobia
South Africa in recent times has become a reference place when the word xenophobia comes to mind. Xenophobia which denotes an outright distressing emotion or hatred of foreigners, people from other cultures or strangers. The inaction can most times be seen as a motion in a reverse direction to the rise in globalization.
In all its significance and definitions, xenophobia always has to do with indigene against foreigners and not just restricted to a particular set of foreigners. The reverse is the case in what is experienced in South Africa, as the mayhem and devilish act is only channeled to fellow Africans.
The menace started in the late 80s or early 90s when immigrants from other countries were discriminated and harassed. As against what is expected, after the majority (Blacks) took over power, the “supposedly” xenophobic cases grew. The massive increase of xenophobic attacks in South Africa has consistently been compliment by loss of lives and properties. However, in 2015 the menace took a different dimension which led to lots of foreign governments to repatriate their citizens.
So I ask myself if the killings in South Africa should be called Xenophobia or Afrophobia? Knowing fully well that Afrophobia narrows the xenophobia concept down to a series of antagonistic disposition and extreme hostility towards people of African Descent or black people globally.
I, however, think it’s good to call it what it is, i.e. Afrophobia and not Xenophobia. Constantly, we hear news of people of African lineage undergoing one sort of discrimination or another globally, especially in the European Union. These act of racism crosses all dimensions from education, employment, to global policy considerations among others.
Looking at all the News Headlines from the recent happenings in South Africa in regards to the menace, it has always been tagged “Xenophobia”. And contrary to xenophobic connotations, it’s pure Afrophobic reactions. The South Africans have preferential treatment for white foreigners, and to justify their actions, they tend to call them tourists and globetrotters. On the other hand, they see and call fellow African country’s nationals as “makwerekwere” a pejorative term which is a mimicry of the sound of their ‘tongue’.
To crown it all, in an article, leaders like king Herman Mashaba, King Goodwill Zwelithini and Bongani Mkongi, the Deputy Police Minister made an unceasing statement accusing African foreign nationals of being the cause of problems faced by many Black South Africans. Also, Mkongi charged other African foreign nationals of “rendering Hillbrow a dangerous city”, and said that “by opening up our borders, we are surrendering our land”.
Prior to 2011 census in South Africa, the Sentimental and egoistic leaders in South Africa made a report that foreigners are flooding the country and destroying by in insidious activities the stability, security as well as the economy of the state in general.
In the 2011 census conduct in South Africa with 2.2 million Foreign migrants which is about 4% of the population, it still states that South Africa isn’t overwhelmed by immigrants. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in their record is shown to have repatriated up to 400,000 foreigners.
Furthermore, in 2016 the Statistics South African Community Survey in a population of 55million as at then published the total number of foreign-born as 1.6million. Which is insignificant to be noted as flooding the economy and instigating Xenophobic or Afro phobia actions.
Up to 60% percent of South Africans see immigrants as major perpetrators of crime than their nationals. And it’s surprising to know that more than this percentage believes that immigrants cause havoc on their society.
They believe that the immigrants take over the jobs supposedly meant for them (indigenes), as well as enjoy social benefits accrued to them too. As funny as it sounds but it’s true and a serious perception which has eaten deeply into the fabrics of most South African minds.
Considering the fact that the supposed foreigners in which all the negative rots are fallen upon are only fellow ‘Africans’. A situation where brothers kill themselves for no decent justifiable reason.
The act is barbaric, inhumane, unacceptable and morally wrong. South Africans, and Africans, in general, should really redefine our mindset towards each other and simultaneously work together for the betterment of the continent at large. It still boils down to the question, the killings in ‘South Africa’ can it still be called Xenophobia or Afrophobia having considered the unspeakable actions that have exerted influence over the country?
Feel free to add your take, comments or opinions in the comments box below.