TITLE:
Xenophobia in Southern Africa: A Pan-Africanist Perspective for Modern Times
AUTHORS:
Sechaba Khoapa
KEYWORDS:
Poverty and Inequality, Economics, Policy Development, South Africa, Pan-Africanism, Social Identity Theory
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.3 No.3,
March
23,
2016
ABSTRACT:
Xenophobia is historically and in modern times a very systemic political,
social and economic manifestation of imperialism. Although successful gains have
been achieved, a Pan-Africanist effort to work collectively faces several challenges
in the Southern African region. This chapter attempts to pry apart the shell of
xenophobia in Southern Africa by examining 1) the Pan-Africanist role of the Southern
African Development Community (SADC), 2) understanding the economic, social, and
political conditions rooted in xenophobia among SADC countries, 3) xenophobia in
South Africa (2008 and 2015), and 4) xenophobia and its implications for future
efforts of Pan-Africanism. It is imperative to pinpoint the root agendas and not
be consumed by the outward expressions of xenophobia as depicted by media and propaganda.
Pan-Africanism is in higher need in modern times than ever before in the past. The
challenges seem enormous due to concerns created by modernization and the increasing
poverty gaps, clouding the efforts of Pan-Africanism. It’s contended that with appropriate
understanding and application, the challenges will not out-weigh the gains.