An exploration of economic discontent towards foreign nationals in the xenophobic attacks in Port Elizabeth, Walmer township

• Main Author: Nomarwayi, Thandolwethu
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 2012
• Subjects: Foreign workers > Economic aspects > South Africa > Port Elizabeth; Xenophobia > South Africa > Port Elizabeth; Immigrants > Violence against > South Africa > Port Elizabeth
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018683

Post-apartheid South Africa has been marked by a wave of social unrest; from service delivery protests to xenophobic violence targeted towards foreign nationals. Immigrants from across the African soil are victims of this barbaric behavior (xenophobia). A derogatory name such as “makwerekwere” is given to foreign nationals to make them feel inferior and less human. In 2008 these attacks worsened almost in every black township throughout the country. The victims are mostly Somalis and Zimbabweans shop or spaza owners. There are quite a number of explanations that prompted these attacks and they include the following; competition for scarce resources, lack of economic and business opportunities. Foreigners are easily employable because they accept cheap labour, thus making it hard for South Africans to find jobs. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to explore economic discontent against foreign nationals into xenophobic attacks. This study highlights the relationship that co-exists between economic discontent and xenophobic attacks in Port Elizabeth, Walmer Township and the research methods that were used and how these methods were used in the study.