Post-Apartheid Xenophobic Violence and the Crisis of Development in South Africa

Abstract

This study interrogated Post-apartheid xenophobic violence and the crisis of development in South Africa. Xenophobia is one among several possible forms of reactions generated by anomic situation in the societies of modern states. In this context, South Africa is seen as one such good candidate for society in a condition of anomie. The underlying causes of xenophobic violence in South Africa are complex and varied which include poverty and unemployment, the character of South African state, legacy of apartheid policy and corruption. Xenophobia has to do with contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially, of strangers or of people from different countries or cultures. Xenophobia manifests in different regions and communities with devastating effects on the affected foreign nationals living in South Africa and the system. The research work aimed at examining the crisis of development in South Africa as a result of Post- apartheid xenophobic violence. Qualitative research design and thematic data analysis were considered appropriate in the course of this work.  Relative deprivation theory (RD) which argues that psychological factors of relative deprivation is a key factor in explaining social unrest is used as a frame of analysis.