Faculty of Humanities
School of Socil Sciences
9911005m
ChambaLarry@hotmail.com / This thesis is a study of how West Africa immigrants experience immigration into South
Africa, and how they are affected by their new context. Based on interview schedule
(survey), in-depth interviews, observations (direct and indirect), primary and secondary
sources, some 112 Cameroonians and Nigerians (72 Cameroonians and 40 Nigerians)
were studied between May 2001 and December 2003.
The study revealed that, xenophobia, discrimination, and the South African affirmative
action, make it difficult for West African immigrants to achieve their goals in the
country. From an overall perspective, these immigrants are not allowed to work or study;
they suffer harassment, social exclusion and gross human rights abuses in the country.
While the majority of these immigrants have actually abandoned their home countries for
South Africa, various reasons account for their immigration into South Africa. A study of
the factors influencing West African immigration into South Africa, found that, although
several factors account for West African immigration into South Africa, the factors are
interlinked to one another, and not independent in themselves. I showed that, although
push and pull factors, such as political, economic, socio-cultural factors, communication
and technological advances, proximity, precedence and tradition of migration influence
West African immigration into South Africa, the role of family pride, usually ignored in
most migration studies is fast becoming an emerging push factor of migration in the West
African sub-region.
In South Africa, West African immigrants interact with the general public, as well as
some government institutions most notably, the Department of Home Affairs. An
examination of past and current immigration policy, the Department of Home Affairs,
and the general public found that although immigrants enter South Africa with the hope
of improving their lives, and those of family members back home, they are socially
excluded; suffer from serious human rights abuses, discrimination and xenophobic
hostility. The Aliens Control Act of 1991, the new Refugee Act of 1998, negative attitude
of some officials, interpreters and the general public, a simultaneous increase in the
iii
number of immigrants with unemployment, lack of socialization between South Africans
and West Africans, apartheid isolation and indoctrination of South Africans, and the role
of the media have all contributed to the high levels of discrimination and xenophobic
hostility West Africans experience in South Africa. I have termed this fear and dislike of
West Africans, and the resultant negative reactions by South Africans ‘Westaphobia’.
The study saw West African immigrants as socially excluded in South African. An
examination why, revealed the factors and the reasons as another facet of discrimination
and xenophobia. It was found that, immigrants adapt in various ways to resist
discrimination and xenophobia, and in the course of adapting, modify their personal
identities, giving rise to multiple identities. Such hybridities were evident in immigrants
dressing, dancing and hairstyles, expressive gestures, having more South African friends,
changing legal status, joining, forming and organizing social functions.
Despite experiences of discrimination, xenophobia and exclusion, the study found that
immigrants implement certain strategies to ensure their survival in South Africa. In the
midst of these problems, some immigrants still manage to succeed in their businesses and
other under takings. Immigrants’ high concentration in Hillbrow with its commercial and
locational advantages, initial capital through immigrants’ networks, the use of family
labor, are all added advantages. The study also found that through small business
activities, and the trading of ethnic goods, immigrants are able to survive and send
remittances back home. At the same time, trading in and consuming ethnic goods help
strengthened immigrants self-identification, unify and link them to their roots. Further
revelations saw some of the immigrants as transmigrants, who develop hybrid identities,
and live their lives across boundaries. In this way, they are able to succeed despite their
status as the undesirables in South Africa. Others are pushed to the wall, and are forced to
transgress various margins of the law, to ensure their survival, resist discrimination and
xenophobic hostility in South Africa. For some, transgressing margins of the law is the
fastest means of amassing wealth to be able to live a better live in South Africa, and still
take care of family members in their home countries.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/1788 |
| Date | 16 November 2006 |
| Creators | Petkou, Chamba Lawrence |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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