Tracing Evidence of Xenophobic Tensions and Conflicts amongst Informal Trader Foreign Nationals and Informal Village-Based Entrepreneur South Africans

Abstract

Many foreign nationals earn their living in informal business in South Africa where the majority own small street corner shops or are involved in street vending. Trading competition for the market has been increasing – sparking violent animosities, tensions and conflicts between foreign nationals and local entrepreneurs. The conflicts have at times turned horribly Xenophobic targeting foreign nationals in particular. Xenophobic violent tensions and conflicts amongst informal small-scale traders in South African townships have been widely recorded in the past decade or so – but studies tracing any such evidence of Xenophobic Tensions and Conflicts between Informal Trader Foreign Nationals and Informal Village-based Entrepreneur South Africans – especially in Limpopo Province are rare. In May 2008, most townships in South Africa experienced widespread attacks on foreign nationals. The advanced reasons by most commentators pointed to Xenophobia manifesting through hatred of foreign nationals for out-competing locals in the informal business market. This paper traces any such evidence of Xenophobic tensions and conflicts in the rural areas of South Africa. This study premised that patterns of Xenophobic tendencies would vary between the rural and urban set ups. Finally, the paper recommends that intensive public eduction campaigns be held in various societal groups to conscientise the citizens of the effects of population movements around the world on regional and local socio-economic dynamics. Better understanding of multi-ethnicity might remove or minimise Xenophobia amongst South Africans.