Xenophobia in South Africa: Implications for Regional Integration in Africa

Xenophobia in South Africa

Abstract

Not very long ago, the image that often appeared in the minds of many wherever and whenever South Africa was 
mentioned was the Apartheid and its defeat after many years of liberation struggle led by Nelson Mandela. But today, 
that image is fast being overshadowed by xenophobia which has become the defining feature of the post-Apartheid South 
Africa. The aim of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of xenophobia in South Africa and its implications for regional 
integration in Africa. It adopts qualitative methodology and secondary sources of data as well as political economy 
approach to show how material conditions, especially economic factors, are shaping and re-shaping South Africa’s social 
relations, including that of African migrants and South African citizens. It is argued that the xenophobic violence in South 
Africa portends great danger not only to sub-regional unity and development, but also to regional integration. For African 
countries to achieve rapid economic development they must cooperate and trade with one another, and this requires the 
integration of their economies and mutual interactions between their citizens. Xenophobic violence in South Africa has the 
potential of breeding hatred among African countries and triggering retaliatory attacks across the continent. This could 
diminish not only the inflow of foreign investment into South Africa, but also regional unity, cooperation and intra-African 
trade