The South African Dream

Xenophobia has become a word that is synonyms with South Africa. The Xenophobic attacks on May 21st 2008 turned the World's attention towards the violence that so many foreign nationals are experiencing on a daily basis. Xenophobia is not something that is easily explained or that is easily fixed. It is a problem that will plague South Africa for many years to come, seeing that we are one of the strongest economy's in Africa and large groups of impoverished foreign nationals make the journey to the "Rainbow Nation" in an attempt to find a better life. However, upon arrival they only receive threats, cold shoulders and violence.

"According to the Oxford Standard English Dictionary (OED), the word xenophobia consists of two parts: xeno (a combining form meaning "guest, stranger, foreigner") and phobia, ("fear, horror or aversion, especially if morbid"). Definition: A deep antipathy toward foreigners". The 2010 World Cup brought in thousands of foreigners, the majority of these individuals were here to watch the World Cup and to enjoy the rare occasion. However, a large group of foreign nationals came to South Africa with the intention to capitalize on the influx of tourists and to make money, many of these individuals had no intention of returning home. These immigrants often take the role of street vendors, construction workers, domestic workers and other low paying jobs. These individuals "undercut" the local workers as they are willing to work for less pay and often are more motivated to work, seeing that they are fighting to survive. It is because of this that violence has become a common occurrence towards these immigrants.

Many middle class South African citizens are ignorant towards the constant abuse these foreign nationals are experiencing "The public perception of an "outbreak" of xenophobia is somewhat mistaken -- xenophobic attacks have never stopped, and research by the Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) at Wits University shows that in the past two years there has been at least one attack a month on groups of foreign nationals". The influx of foreign labor for the World Cup has not reignited the Xenophobic violence, but instead has brought it back into the public eye. Foreign nationals are faced with discrimination and threats of violence on a daily basis. A study done by the UCT Graduate School of Business has revealed that Xenophobic discrimination is rife in the South African Corporate sector and foreigners are insulted and excluded on a daily basis. Management often turns a blind eye, as to deal with these Xenophobic slurs would lead to drawn out ramifications and creating a divide in their work room. "According to the study, a common theme from the interviews was that there are negative psychological effects which foreign employees experience in South Africa today. The findings suggest xenophobia is not uncommon and that most foreign workers have experienced some level of discrimination at work". Workers have to adopt a victimized state of mind as companies often adopt the attitude that if these foreign workers do not abide to the harsh working environment they will be replaced by the large mass of unemployed individuals, who in some cases are waiting outside the work place gates.

To make matters worse for these foreign nationals, employers are often forced to adopt negative attitude towards employing these foreign individuals "Many report that they have been fired from restaurants and construction sites after their employers were told that hiring foreigners would identify them and their property as "legitimate targets" when attacks begin afresh". The South African work force is undermining these individuals as they have no where to turn, no where to work and no one who cares. Their attempt to give themselves and their families a better life often ends in discrimination, homelessness and in some cases death. There seems to be no end in sight for Xenophobic violence as it is a culmination of different factors, often where individuals are fighting for their lives. The general public is concerned with the way that our local workers and residents are discriminating against the foreign workers. However, we must remember that our local and impoverished worker is also fighting to survive and is willing to fight and even kill if it means that his family can eat.

The problem of Xenophobic violence is something that has many factors and outside contributors. To solve this problem will take many years and a unique policy to changing the attitudes of the local workers towards foreign nationals. Until we can muster up a new and unique way of tackling this problem we will continue to see acts of violence and discrimination.