Linguistic Representation and Intersection of Historical and Contemporary Contexts of Xenophobia Ecosystem in South Africa

Abstract

The xenophobia crisis which erupted in 2008 in South Africa has fossilised into a perennial problem. The lingering crisis has become a dominant discourse because of its intractable nature. The development affects many African countries, given the massive human and material losses that their nationals have suffered. This study, therefore, examines the historical and contemporary contextual factors that underlie xenophobic prejudice in South Africa. Anchored on the theoretical framework of Social Identity Theory, this review uses a qualitative approach that systematically examines and synthesises existing literature to explore the nexus of history and extant trajectory of xenophobia in South Africa. The research is based on secondary materials such as historical sources, policy documents, journal articles, books and media reports. It uses a thematic and discourse analytical approach to classify its findings. The study elucidates themes such as African immigrants’ identity as foreigners and aliens in South Africa; the historical scope of xenophobia in South Africa; the contemporary contexts of xenophobia in South Africa; the xenophobic linguistic representation of immigrants in South Africa and xenophobia as cultural racism in South Africa. The study describes xenophobia in South Africa as an implicit attitude manifesting as an explicit violent action. It also revealed that the contemporary context of the xenophobia crisis is an offshoot of the historical past that has not been properly situated in the post-apartheid era. The study concludes that rather than unbridled hostilities against African nationals, South Africa needs innovative ideas and creative policy mechanisms to turn the so-called foreigners’ skills and material resources into a huge socio-economic advantage. More importantly, South Africa should revive norms of Pan-Africanism and consider African nationals as brothers rather than aliens that must be hunted down.