The efficiency of strategies for the prevention of xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract

South Africa as a nation has been battling with the problem of recurring xenophobic attacks since the attainment of democratic rule in 1994. This comes against the background of a well-defined vision of South Africa stipulated by the former president Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Mr. Mandela said ‘South Africa is a Rainbow Nation’ meaning it will accommodate people of different backgrounds. However, the world witnessed with disbelief the occurrence of xenophobic attacks in 2008 which left 62 people dead and thousands displaced and injured. These incidences were followed by the April 2015 violent xenophobic attacks. The attacks resulted in seven (7) people dead, destruction of property, looting of goods and the displacement of hundreds of people. Given this account, this study examined the efficiency of strategies for the prevention of xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa. This was achieved through the following objectives: determining the extent of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, secondly, describing the current strategies adopted by South African Government to prevent xenophobic attacks and lastly, the limitations of the strategies in addressing xenophobia. The researcher conducted a secondary research to get the relevant information. The results of this study reveal eight strategies implemented by the South African government to address xenophobia. The research described the strength of all the strategies implemented to stem out violence. The strategies implemented include the following: Policy strategies, intergovernmental strategies, citizenship empowerment and educational strategies, State-civil society engagement, technical and media related strategies, legal and constitutional strategies and humanitarian strategies. Moreover, this study reveals the three important limitations of the strategies namely lack of sustainability; failure to address the root cause and denialism of the existence of xenophobia. In conclusion, the study reveals that there is need to set long term and sustainable strategies as the means to prevent future xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Key words: Xenophobia, Prevention, Strategies, Xenophobic attacks, Post-Apartheid