5 September 2008
(Page 3 of 4)
This attitude has not helped the South African government's international image, making it look like the government is trying to amalgamate the xenophobic problem into the problem of violent crime in South Africa rather than treating it as its own problem, with discrete symptoms, manifestations and solutions.
Longer-term implications
Although the xenophobic violence in South Africa in May this year has been contained, with less than two years to go before the World Cup is held, there are a number of ripple effects from the crisis, which may still affect the World Cup.
The reintegration of foreign nationals back into their host communities in South Africa, which is the preferred resolution for both the government and the displaced people, has its own pitfalls.
We know from the experience of other countries such as Rwanda and Kenya that integration is a complex process, which if not management correctly could have serious consequences.
We know from our own context and experience with ex-combatants that the impact of poor integration strategies, or the lack of such strategies, can be felt years later - in further violence, reprisal/revenge attacks and civil unrest.
South Africa needs to be aware that the integration process involves sending people back into communities where they have experienced extreme violence and loss. While the victims need considerable support regarding their trauma and the practicalities of reintegrating and rebuilding their homes and lives, most of the work needs to be done within the South African communities.
Various areas need to be addressed within these communities before integration can be wholly successful.
These include: building trust between South African nationals and both victims and foreign nationals; investigating the underlying causes of the xenophobic violence and beginning to address these constructively; addressing the myths surrounding foreign nationals and raising awareness regarding migration and refugees; laying the groundwork for conflict transformation in those communities in order to prevent future incidents; and giving a voice and/or space to South African community members so that they do not feel that the only way to make their voices heard is through the use of violence against the most vulnerable of society.
If integration is not thoroughly and sensibly completed, the problem will not have been dealt with and the potential will exist for xenophobic violence to flare up repeatedly in the future.
In addition, there are implications for the foreign nationals who have been victimised and who have had to return to their home countries or flee to other neighbouring states.
This is especially true for people from war-torn or conflict situations who have been forced to return home - if economic refugees, they face extreme poverty and starvation; if political refugees, they face renewed violence (and possible death).
Another element to consider is the transference of trauma with displaced persons across state borders. The journey undertaken when fleeing violence (whether in their countries of origin or host country) is often fraught with fear and the threat of further violence.
The needs of traumatised individuals are complex and individual-specific, but at the very least, such people need to access mental and physical healthcare facilities and, ideally, long term interventions. This has implications for both the trauma sufferers and the host communities.
Many traumatised individuals need the most basic of assistance such as immediate food relief and shelter. The concept of movement of trauma and violated displaced populations needs to be understood by host countries in order to be able to adequately deal with the implications.
Because of this movement of people, the aftermath of the xenophobic violence in South Africa, if not properly managed, contained and dealt with, could lead to the destabilisation of the region as a whole in the build up to the World Cup.
The southern African region is intimately connected: what happens in one country impacts those around it. Violence in one country spills into neighbouring countries - if not directly in the form of the perpetration of violence by displaced persons across borders, then by implication through the movement of traumatised individuals and political refugees who have specific needs. Competition between host populations and displaced populations can, in turn, result in more violence in the form of xenophobia.
To use Zimbabwe as just one example: the political violence and economic problems in Zimbabwe have spilled over into South Africa through the movement of large numbers of political and/or economic refugees.
Condoleeza Rice, US Secretary of State, stated on June 19, 2008 that "the political instability and economic collapse created by the Zimbabwean Government's actions are destabilising an entire region", adding that the situation in Zimbabwe had troubling implications for the security of its neighbouring states.
The crisis in Zimbabwe and influx of refugees into South Africa contributed to the rising xenophobic sentiments in South Africa, resulting in violence, which in turn has had implications for regional stability.
Movement of populations across borders is not going to cease, and may even increase in the run-up to the World Cup. South Africa needs effective and well-implemented policies and measures in place to deal with this.
There is often confusion among the general population, as well as among foreign nationals and even state officials as to the legal status of immigrants.
The length of time taken for asylum applications to be processed combined with uncertainty about the different categories of immigrants, means that officials and foreign nationals alike often do not know where they stand in terms of the law.
In addition, there is lack of coordination from government departments in addressing the challenges facing foreign nationals. In many cases government departments will refer foreign nationals to the Department of Home Affairs for assistance with service provisions. However, while the Department of Home Affairs is set up to assist with documentation, the relevant government departments at local level are mandated to assist with service provision.
The good news is that the xenophobic violence has had very little impact on South Africa's preparations for the World Cup in terms of infrastructure, transport systems, planning and organisation. In addition, the incidents of violence have not occurred near any of the central business and tourism areas where visitors would be staying.
It is highly unlikely that World Cup fans will be targeted by xenophobic sentiments - which, unfortunately, are not to say that they will not fall prey to violent crime (South Africa having the high crime rate that it does).
Xenophobia in South Africa is directed towards those people living in South Africa (legally or illegally) and sharing resources with the local population.
The violence has, however, had an impact on the enthusiasm of fans to travel to the World Cup - especially if the nature of the xenophobia has been misrepresented to include the fear and hatred of all foreigners (including tourists). The fewer fans and visitors attracted to South Africa and the World Cup will definitely have an impact, not only on South Africa, but on the southern African region as a whole, in terms of the anticipated economic boom that the World Cup should bring to the region in terms of direct revenue and spin-off tourism.
The anticipated economic opportunities that the World Cup promises, such as the influx of resources, as well as opportunities for small businesses, hawkers and even criminals, will attract foreign nationals from the region and even further a-field.
This could create another situation where there is competition between South African nationals and foreign nationals over the resources and opportunities available. Foreigners might be perceived to be flooding into South Africa expecting to share in the economic benefits of the World Cup - with the precedent set by the xenophobic violence in May, this might result in a resurgence of the xenophobic sentiments and ensuing violence.
In a related concern, the handling of the xenophobic crisis in South Africa generates a legitimate question mark over South Africa's ability to cope with the World Cup in terms of security, crowd control and crisis control.
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I'm curious in what areas are has Xenophobia been most prevalent? If it is in Cape Town or Johannesburg, then what areas primarily? We are considering making the move to Muizenberg and I was wondering where this was taking place primarily. Thanks.