This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
South Africa Xenophobia: Africa's Collective Anger ¶
Published on September 7, 2019
Violent xenophobic attacks have reared their ugly heads in South Africa, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement. The attacks, which have been a regular occurrence since the country gained independence in 1994, have peaked in 2008, 2015, and 2017, resulting in the deaths of over 65 people.
The perpetrators of these attacks allege that they are targeting immigrant communities that are taking South African jobs and businesses, or engaging in criminal conduct. However, many believe that the attacks are a symptom of a deeper issue - the inability of the ANC government to empower the majority population almost 30 years after independence.
As a result, many Africans have been calling for a boycott of South African products and services. In Zambia, university students looted South African outfits, while in Nigeria, MTN had to close shop after Nigerians attacked its shops and burned masts. The South African Embassy had to be closed due to threats on its staff.
Kenya has been relatively quiet, but if the attacks continue, this may not be the case for long. The attacks have also sparked a continent-wide call to boycott South African products and services.
Despite the government's promises to hasten land redistribution, the white minority in South Africa still controls 75% of the land, while the per capita income among the white population is 400,000 Rand, compared to 95,000 Rand among black South Africans.
Many believe that the attacks on South African capital in the rest of Africa may be the trigger that will make the ANC government engage a faster gear in resolving the helplessness informing the xenophobia.
