What Orders Xenophobia in South Africa?

Abstract

Xenophobia is not exclusive to South Africa, it is a common trend in contemporary international relations when states experience economic progression and migrants from other states seek benevolence within such framework. South Africa however, has enjoyed greater mention because of the uncontrolled involvement of her citizens in driving xenophobic sentiments. This paper examines xenophobia in South Africa from policy context by examining the various refugee and migration acts and by-laws of South Africa with a view to tease out xenophobic potency of their contents. The paper also pays attention to human relations explanation of xenophobia. The work is both observational and exploratory as direct victims of xenophobia are interviewed and reportage of xenophobia is content analysed. The paper concludes that, as in South Africa, xenophobia is a global phenomenon which benefits from unbridled policy and unregulated citizenry responses to migrants' incursion in host state's economy and social values.