Why Xenophobia Persists in South Africa: Jobs, Inequality, Migration, and the Legacy of Apartheid
Why Xenophobia Persists in South Africa: Jobs, Inequality, Migration, and the Legacy of Apartheid Quick Answer South Africa's xenophobia cannot be explained by immigration alone. High unemployment, inequality, weak public services, and the legacy of apartheid all shape the environment in which anti-immigrant politics grows. The claim that immigrants simply "steal jobs" is not supported by national-level economic research, although competition can be intense in particular neighborhoods and low-income sectors. Foreign-owned township businesses can be highly competitive, but research shows that nationality alone does not explain who charges lower prices or succeeds in the market. Recent vigilante campaigns have targeted migrants' access to shops, clinics, schools, and other public spaces, turning political frustration into direct human-rights violations. Corruption and failures inside the immigration system can damage public trust, but ...