M.A. (Industrial Psychology) / South Africa is a diverse country with people from different races, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. Yet the differences that exist amongst its citizens are neither embraced nor accepted by all its people. Alexandra Township was chosen as the research site to investigate the xenophobic attacks of May 2008 as this was where the attacks first started. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of Alexandra residents towards the attacks of May 2008 in order to determine their attitudes towards black foreigners. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted in different sections of Alexandra. Interviews were conducted with twelve males and eight females. The findings revealed that lack of service delivery and competition for scarce resources was the major factors that contributed to xenophobic attacks on foreigners. Other factors that played a role included frustration and anger by residents about a feeling of entitlement, i.e. things they felt were owing to them but they had not received such as houses and employment. The study found the views differed between perpetrators of the attacks and observers of the violence. It is clear that xenophobic sentiments are rooted in multiple factors.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 240-274).

Modernisation, globalisation, neoliberalism and the increase in immigration have morphed into xenophobia, as they have resulted in structures that increased inequalities and competition for scarce resources, although there are other factors such as the global recession that is deepening inequalities and social classes. In South Africa, xenophobia is a topical matter, with chronic violent outbursts. The study addresses the gap in knowledge in the relationship between language and xenophobia. Language is central to human communication and to human socialisation and is not neutral but is embedded in ideologies that favour specific interest groups. The neoliberal ideology compels people as human capital to develop linguistic capital. The paradox is that globalisation transcends the national to transnational, while at the same time being conscious of the local or the indigenous language. Globalisation promotes hybridity and diversity, while at the same time promoting homogeneity or Westernisation, which is contrary to the nationalist ideology to protect the cultural heritage of the locals. This thesis is guided by a range of classical and more contemporary development theories. It includes the use of Marxist theory with regard to ownership and unequal distribution of resources. The culture of violence that manifests in xenophobia in South Africa can also be related to the violence of the colonial and apartheid periods. This thesis is also guided by the post-colonial theory. It also looks at theories of modernity and of globalisation, suggesting that a truly ‘modern’ society should be transformed in all spheres and should value multifaceted human well-being (and not only in terms of economic ‘growth’). A primary objective of this study is to explore the role of language in social institutions such as education in order to understand how matters of language exacerbate xenophobia and to document the challenges related to language that ‘foreigners’ from other parts of Africa face in South Africa. Questions asked include whether they can survive/thrive without knowledge of local languages, whether they are victims of crime because they cannot speak the local languages and whether and how they are being assimilated into South African society. This research therefore, recommends that language planning in South Africa should maintain a balance in the use of the English language as a lingua franca and the use of the indigenous languages so as to avoid the language endangerment of the indigenous languages and monolingualism, as well as subtractive bilingualism. This research is against institutional discrimination of foreigners by use of language as a gate keeper or an entry fee into the higher domains. The results of this research lead to the recommendation on language planning that leads to economic opportunity, higher economic productivity, educational development, enrichment in the sense of creativity innovation, cognitive flexibility, and more effective social integration, while restoring citizens’ sense of self-worth and their experience of emotional and social security, and also promoting social integrity and nation-building. Good language planning should be a crucial aspect of development planning. This research contributes to the field of Development Studies in that it analyses the conflicting issues within language and xenophobia in South Africa, while using the complexity theory to restore a modernised society with modern values that are not xenophobic but open to the global society. It also contributes to the politics of culture by keeping a balance between the endogenous culture versus the exogenous culture; a localised culture versus a globalised culture.

Development in South Africa at present is at a crossroads; it could become injected with new energy or it could collapse. The presence of foreigners, especially those from Africa is in contention. Some argue that they help the economy whilst others argue they are a hindrance to locals and their employment worth. The “truth” regarding these may not be immediately recognisable and thus open to questioning depending on perception. The press plays a large role in these perceptions and has been criticised for the way it covers issues of public interest. it is envisaged that this study will be a useful contribution to the limited body of literature on xenophobia and media. The purpose of the study is to give foundation to the assumption that the media's constantly negative coverage of foreigner poses a very real threat to human rights as purported in South Africa‟s constitution, in addition to the economic significance, whether positive or not. This study highlights the perception that Nelson Mandela Bay residents have of foreign nationals, and whether negative reporting in the media has influenced residents' views of foreign nationals.

Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / 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

Afrikaans text / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die rol van die maatskaplike werk professie in die hantering van slagoffers van xenofobie te verken en te beskryf, ten einde aanbevelings te maak aan maatskaplike werkers. Die deelnemers was praktiserende maatskaplike werkers in die Kaapse Wynland Overberg Distrik wat gesinsorgdienste lewer. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering, tesame met die fenomenologiese, kontekstuele, verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerpe was benut. Data is binne die raamwerk van Tesch se stappe vir kwalitatiewe data-analise geanaliseer. Guba se model vir data verifikasie is benut om die geldigheid van die studie te verseker. Die navorsingsbevindinge het die navorser in staat gestel om aanbevelings aan maatskaplike werkers te maak in terme van die oorsake van xenofobie, die rol van die maatskaplike werk professie rakende dienste aan slagoffers van xenofobie, tipe maatskaplike dienste wat aan slagoffers van xenofobie gelewer moet word en hulpbronne wat benodig word vir effektiewe dienslewering. / The goal of this study is to explore and describe the role of the social work profession regarding interventions aimed at victims of xenophobia in order to make recommendations to social workers. Participants were practicing social workers in the Cape Wineland Overberg District who provided family services. The qualitative research approach, together with the phenomenological, contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs, was implemented. Data was analysed within the framework of Tesch’s steps for qualitative data analysis. Guba’s model for data verification was used to ensure the validity of the data. The research findings assisted the researcher to make recommendations to social workers in terms of the causes of xenophobia, the role of the social work profession regarding services to victims of xenophobia, the type of services that should be rendered to these victims and resources needed for effective service delivery. / Social Work / M.A. (SW)

Foreigners working locally increasingly find themselves the victims of xenophobic violence, justified by the assertion that they have a lesser right to employment in South Africa than its own citizens. Given that South Africa subscribes to a broadly cosmopolitan set of international agreements supporting a basic human right to work regardless of national or ethnic origin, the implication is that even within a cosmopolitan-like framework it must permissible for citizens to exercise special considerations toward one another, and especially in regard to employment. As demonstrated by Robert Goodin and others, this case is difficult to make if foreign residents are also expected to contribute to the social good which makes citizenship so instrumentally valuable. Given that associativist models for special obligations are problematic when applied to citizens, it is argued that foreigners enjoy the same right to work as any other residents.

Somali refugees living in South Africa are the most recent targets of xenophobic attacks in African townships across the country. However, who are these new immigrant entrepreneurs? This report presents material from research on Somalis living and working in small shops in Mayfair, Gauteng. From their various reasons for leaving Somalia, the report explored their experiences of settling into the host country. The study looked at the experiences and challenges they meet while in Johannesburg. The study considered also the reasons why Somali refugees seem to be the primary target of xenophobia in South Africa. The research was based on interviews that were conducted with Somali refugees. The study considered the livelihoods of Somalis living in Mayfair. It explored the issue of clans that divide the Somali community. It also explored how these refugees access their legal documentation, health care and education in the country of asylum. The Somali community seems to be united however due to different clans that are found here in Johannesburg the study showed that they are not homogeneous. Somali refugees experience so many challenges in trying to make a living. They come to South Africa for safety and protection only to find that their lives are in danger just as it is in Somalia. They mostly involve in informal sector and this has made them become primary target of crime especially in poverty stricken areas. Somali refugees work and live in informal settlements where they face a lot of hardships. Moreover, Somali refugees experience a host of challenges because they lack integration in the local community. The study also looked into the Refugee Act that stipulates that safety and basic services should be provided to all including refugees; however, in reality this has not been implemented because Somali refugees face a host of constraints in accessing those services.

A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Masters of Arts Degree in the Political studies Department, Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg, March 2017 / The emergence of xenophobic violence is linked directly to the dissemination and development of certain ideas and perceptions. This paper will examine perceptions of xenophobic violence held by university students looking particularly at the University of the Witwatersrand. The research attempts to understand the perceptions and understandings of the university students, and how they conceptualize their individual perceptions in the context of university unrest and university transformation. These perceptions will be discussed and analysed through individual interviews in conjunction with questioners. Questions of perceived identity and the evolution of identity will be tackled in an aim to fully understand these perceptions. This focus on the tertiary institution serves to increase the analysis of xenophobic violence through the analysis of perception and debates. The dominant discourse around xenophobia is often focused on how the xenophobic attacks occurred and what drove the xenophobic attacks. However, there is limited focus on what drives xenophobia and the discourse that emerges in the xenophobic attacks. This paper will provide an analysis of this discourse to develop an understanding of the origins of xenophobic mentalities and the differing perceptions of foreign nationals held by university students. / XL2018

The actual research focuses on foreign migrants dwelling in the Point area of Durban. This work is aiming at determining whether migration policies negatively impact on foreigners in South Africa; assessing the positive contribution made by foreigners on both the formal and the informal economy of South Africa; and recommending progressive policy and corrective measures of resolving foreign influx in South Africa. The qualitative approach adopted in this study facilitates the examination of the respondents' experiences as migrants in the Point Area. The findings of this study show that fear of foreigners has reached a new level in South Africa and with the transition to democracy; South Africa has become a destination for a number of documented and undocumented immigrants and migrants who, looking for a better life, have found instead, a country in which xenophobia is rife. As a democratic country, South Africa finds its self facing a dilemma: on one hand it promotes democracy, human rights and African integration, on the other; it faces an increase in xenophobia. Within this context, this study evaluates the extent to which the ANC government's im/migration policy and the implementation thereof contribute to xenophobia. Migration systems theory is used to develop a theoretical framework for the analysis. This study also discusses the context of immigration in South Africa on three angles; the international, the regional and the national angle. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.