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Magazines’ alert about Afrophobia in South Africa

In the May issue of New African Magazine, in the overview of burning issues in the continent, two articles are dedicated to the topic of Afrophobia in South Africa. The sensitive question ‘Why do Africans hate each other?’ is posed.

The incidents and intensity of violence against new immigrants in South Africa seems to be increasing. Sadly, it has become a reality of urban poverty that groups of poor black people attack other groups of poor black people. Reasons given are that jobs are stolen and that small businesses exploit customers. This toxic behaviour – authors say –finds its roots in an economic state of affairs where jobs are insecure: people are afraid to lose the little they have, and they are willing to eliminate their rivals in what can be called a war between poor people. It is tricky to lay blame, but explanations might be found in South African history and the resultant economic and social development. What is sure, is that the integration among different ethnic and social classes is still far to be reached, as well as the interpretation of what happened after 1994 is still controversial. All elements (the former white-only institutions, the effort to involve middle-class Africans in order to form a new and inclusive leadership, the unsuccessful in actively integrating in the production of services so as to get employed in sufficient numbers) are still the object of a reflection that doesn’t look yet enough lucid and balanced.

The only matter of fact is the scapegoating of foreigners, that are not the cause of the matter, but an result of something that is there for all to see: the South African economy has not grown enough and social tensions and divisions are still alive.

Furthermore it is important to remember is that the townships were created for those Africans evicted from their places to make way for new infrastructures and residences. Now, the inhabitants of these types of historically internally-displaced-person camps do not imagine a different future for themselves: many have lived there from generations; they have become attached to their status; and consequently they perceive new African immigrants as a menace.

Whether something – continue the journalists – is to be gleaned from the philosophy of Ubuntu in these episodes of hostility remains an open question. South Africans appear to have forgotten the principles of mutual respect, solidarity and a sense of belonging to the post-1994 community. Where are the voices that remind South Africa to learn from its own history?

It remains a very actual and tricky topic.

SIHMA is monitoring this complicated and challenging phenomenon of the social and political aspects of migration and integration in the African continent. Research and reflection on this topic are being planned.

Magazines’ alert about Afrophobia in South Africa

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Magazines’ alert about Afrophobia in South Africa

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