Can xenophobia be eradicated in SA?

The recent spate of xenophobic attacks—which have claimed seven lives, with scores injured and hundreds displaced—have severely damaged the brand and reputation of South Africa to the entire world. As expected, the xenophobic attacks have been condemned the world over.

However, the xenophobic attacks are not new. Violence against foreigners has been going on for more than a decade. The large scale xenophobic attacks happened in 2008 when more than 60 people were killed. Since then, there has been a rise in attacks on foreign nationals. According to Jean Pierre Misago, a researcher at the African Centre for Migration and Society at the University of  Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, more than 350 foreigners have been killed in South Africa since 2008.

The South African government has now taken a decisive action to end xenophobia through a number of initiatives. It has courted other stakeholders, including the media, in a nationwide campaign against the vice. Police officers and soldiers have also been deployed in xenophobia hotspots. Besides government, opposition parties and non-state actors, including churches, unions and civil society organisations (CSOs) have held marches and are speaking vehemently against xenophobia.

Such measures are important to contain xenophobia and quell the rising anger in African countries at how their people are being treated in South Africa. Already CSOs in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have marched against the attacks on their nationals. There are fears that if xenophobia continues, there could be a backlash in African countries where South Africa companies are operating. Tourism, cross-border trade and foreign direct investment will be affected as people will be afraid to travel to South Africa.

However, the South African government should find lasting solutions to end xenophobia. Community dialogue and mass education on causes of xenophobia can go a long way in creating understanding between South Africans and foreign nationals.

While migration is a universal phenomenon, Malawians have been going to South Africa and other countries in search of employment for many decades. However, there has been an influx of Malawians going to South Africa in search of a better life over the years. This points at failure by Malawi governments (past and present) and the private sector to create employment and improve the socio-economic conditions of the people. Malawians migrate to South Africa because they want to escape from harsh economic conditions at home. Apart from the economic decay, tribalism, regionalism and political interference have also forced some Malawians to look for work elsewhere.

Compared to other African countries, South Africa is a prosperous country and has attracted migrants not only from all over Africa, but Asia and the Far East because it provides better economic opportunities than their own countries. However, the economic opportunities have obscured the growing domestic resentment of the foreign nationals who are seen to be taking jobs and other economic opportunities from locals.

The recent barbaric and horrific xenophobic attacks perpetrated by a few blood-thirsty South Africans should give the Malawian Government food for thought to improve the socio-economic conditions of its people. Otherwise people will still risk their lives in search of better life. It would not be surprising to hear that some returnees are heading back South.