An exploratory study on the perceptions about xenophobic violence in Giyani, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore Giyani residents‟ perceptions about xenophobic violence committed by South African citizens. The exploratory design, which is a qualitative paradigm was used to explore residents‟ perceptions about xenophobic violence in Giyani. Purposive sampling, aligned to non-probability sampling procedure was used to select participants. A sample of twenty-two (22) participants between the ages of eighteen (18) and forty-five (45) years were selected from the residents of Giyani Section A. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from the participants. Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) method was used to analyse the data. The following themes emerged from the study: understanding of xenophobic violence, attitudes of South African citizens towards immigrants, time at which xenophobic violence took place, factors that lead to xenophobic violence, impact of xenophobic violence and measures to curb xenophobic violence. According to the findings of the study, Giyani residents have different attitudes towards immigrants. Most of them seemed to be more tolerant towards foreign nationals. The study findings confirmed that competition over scarce resources; high crime rates and the influence of the media are major factors that lead to xenophobic attacks. Xenophobic violence has been said to have negative impacts on immigrants as well as the host country. During xenophobic attacks most immigrants are reported to lose their lives. The economic growth also gets affected because potential investors and tourists who bring money to the country return to their countries of their origin. KEYWORDS: Immigrants, Perception, Violence, Xenophobia, Xenophobic attack