Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is an exploratory study of Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa. It is anticipated that this thesis will shed light on the identity and role of local congregations towards strangers and foreigners.
Concepts such as openness, hospitality, acceptance, trust, willingness, and true understanding are used to try and establish understanding and reconciliation between South Africans and immigrants. The research follows the violent attacks on Zimbabwean immigrants because of the conception that the increase in Zimbabwean immigrants are to the detriment of South African citizens.
In the opinion of the researcher, this is only one side of the issue – there is also another side. These foreigners are people who have valid reasons for coming to South Africa. The living conditions in their own countries have become unbearable and they turned to South Africa for a better life and future.
The scale of illegal immigration came as a surprise to both the immigrants and locals in South Africa. These groups together have formed a new South African society, and with it came new economic, social, and welfare problems. This new society needs to form a new understanding of each individual’s background, personality, and cultural differences.
The challenges experienced by the Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa are unacceptable and insensitive. From this study, it can be concluded that the South African Government does not play its part to the full extent, but relies on the Church to deal with the immigrants and their challenges. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis is ’n verkennende studie van Zimbabwese migrante in Suid-Afrika. Die doel is om lig te werp op die identiteit en die rol van plaaslike gemeentes teenoor vreemdelinge of buitelanders.
Konsepte soos openheid, gasvryheid, aanvaarding, vertroue, gewilligheid en opregte verstaan word gebruik om die moontlikheid van versoening tussen burgers en immigrante te bewerk. Die ondersoek volg uit sommige burgerlikes se gewelddadige optrede teenoor Zimbabwese migrante, omdat die algemene opvatting bestaan dat hierdie onbeheerde toename van migrante tot nadeel van die Suid-Afrikaanse burger strek.
Na die navorser se mening is dit maar een kant van die saak – daar is ook ’n ander kant. Hierdie vreemdelinge is immers mense wat grondige redes gehad het om te vlug na ons land, Suid-Afrika. Die lewensomstandighede in hulle eie land het ondraaglik en onuithoudbaar vir hulle geword. Suid-Afrika was vir hulle die beeld van hoop en uitkoms op beter lewensomstandighede, en ’n nuwe lewenstoekoms.
Heelaas het hierdie grootskaalse onwettige immigrasie ’n verassende skok ingehou vir beide die migrant en die Suid-Afrikaanse burger. Beide groepe het die nuwe Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing gevorm, en namate hierdie onbeheerde getalle verder toeneem, lei dit tot baie ekonomiese, sosiale, en maatskaplike probleme. Hierdie nuwe samelewing wat geskep is, benodig ’n nuwe en varser verstaan van elkeen se agtergrond, persoonlikheid en kultuurverskille. Die uitdagings wat Zimbabwese immigrante in Suid-Afrika beleef, is onaanvaarbaar en onsensitief. Die gevolgtrekking van hierdie studie is dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering nie tot volle potensiaal optree nie, maar steun op die kerk om immigrante en hulle uitdagings aan te spreek.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/80352 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | February, Damon |
| Contributors | Simon, David Xolile, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | af_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 99 p. : ill., ports. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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