Migration, Integration and Xenophobia in South Africa

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Ethnology / Cultural Anthropology, grade: 85 Prozent, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (School of Governmental and Social Science), course: Seminar: African Ethnography, language: English, abstract: [...] Who was to blame for the recent rise of racial intolerance and xenophobic aggression? How widespread is xenophobia really in the South African public? Could the integration policies and programmes be held responsible? What went wrong in the society in the past and at present? How is this issue being confronted on a social as well as on a governmental side? These are all questions that need to be discussed in a public debate to bring the nation.The immigration legislation and the whole treatment of aliens in the country were also brought into discussion. Allusions of a "flood of illegal aliens" who bring disease and crime to the country and who are seen to be a threat to the social and fiscal stability of South Africa" (McDonald 2000: 813) are existent in the public. It is therefore necessary to learn about the definite situation of migrant labourers in the society before trying to change the way of how things work on an official level. The "recent trends in South Africa towards the blaming of noncitizens for stealing jobs and competing for scarce resources are not only disturbing in terms of their implications for violence against foreign workers and residents, but also because they do not necessarily represent the realities of noncitizen participation in the South African economy" (McDonald 2000: 838).
By investigating the complex situation of migration, integration and xenophobia the research aims to provide an understanding. Furthermore is the enquiry necessary in the attempt of tracing down the different paths in which xenophobia builds up and finds its way into society. It is believed that a lack of integration of migrant labourers fosters the development of racial intolerance.
After the essential terms migration, integration and xenophobia are defined, the history and contemporary situation of migration to South Africa is explained. The following chapter focuses on the conditions of foreigners in the society and is additionally linked to the issue of xenophobia. Thereafter is the presentation of the case study conducted by the researcher, which will be also used as the foundation for the following unit on suggestion for the confrontation of xenophobia. The final part will provide an outlook on the South African society and its struggle with racial intolerance.