The “xenophobia” term spreads violence

According to research, the term XENOPHOBIA spreads more violence in the tension among foreign nationals and South Africans.

The research was conducted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Social Action as well as the Sinomlando Centre for Oral History and Memory Work.

The two organisations joined forces with UKZN to deliberate on the causes of xenophobia and find solutions.

The findings come in the awake of attacks on illegal foreign nationals in Pretoria.

The research which began a year ago saw 19 locals and 16 foreign nationals in and around Pietermaritzburg participate in understanding migration.

The research revealed that the use of the word “xenophobia” itself fuels more violence.

The lack of jobs, crime, differences in sexuality, religion and cultural, as well as poverty were also found to be the sources of tensions among locals and foreign nationals.

Sufiayan Ahmad from Malawi who has lived in South Africa for 18 years, said the problem is deeper than anticipated.

Ahmed urged the South African government to teach locals about migration and why people migrate.