South Africa and the xenophobia dilemma: a gendered perspective

Abstract

Xenophobia, hostility towards immigrants, has become a part of the South Africa’s socio-political reality. Although, discrimination against non-nationals of African descent is not a new phenomenon in the ‘Rainbow nation’, its recurrence and destructive nature, has attracted the attention stakeholders in the South African peace, security and development projects. While literature is replete with the occurrences and violent manifestation of xenophobia in South Africa, very few studies have explored the gendered construction of xenophobia in the country. Thus, this article explores the gendered character of xenophobia in South Africa and engages on the impact of xenophobia on migrant women. Gender constructions of anti-immigration movement in South Africa manifests in two ways: local women’s involvement in xenophobia is different from that of their male counterparts, while foreign women who are at the receiving end of xenophobia are also treated differently from male migrants. Xenophobia in South Africa, therefore has a gendered face.

Keywords: Xenophobia, Gender, Immigrants, Scapegoating, South Africa