Xenophobia and Migration Dynamics in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has experienced intricate interactions between migration flows and xenophobic attitudes. The country’s transition to democracy attracted migrants from across the continent seeking economic opportunity and political refuge. However, migrants have often been scapegoated for socio-economic hardships, leading to episodic outbreaks of violence and entrenched discriminatory practices. Research in major metropolitan centres has emphasised the role of labour-market competition, service delivery failures and negative political rhetoric in intensifying hostilities. Migrants navigate diverse livelihood strategies—from formal employment to informal trading—while facing barriers to legal documentation and social integration. Persistent xenophobia has driven shifts in settlement patterns, prompting some migrants to relocate to smaller towns and semi-urban areas in search of relative safety. This evolving landscape has significant implications for regional cooperation, social cohesion and policy design, underscoring the need for inclusive frameworks that address both migrants’ vulnerabilities and the root causes of local resentment.

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Technical terms

Xenophobia: A fear or hatred of foreigners that manifests in discriminatory attitudes, social exclusion and violence against migrant populations.

Informal sector: Economic activities and enterprises that operate outside formal regulatory and taxation frameworks, often involving small-scale trade or unregistered services.

Protracted asylum procedure: An extended administrative process during which asylum-seekers await official decisions, often resulting in prolonged uncertainty and associated social and mental-health challenges.

Social capital: The networks, norms and trust that individuals draw upon within communities to access resources, support and collective action.

References

1. ‘A foreigner is not a person in this country’: xenophobia and the informal sector in South Africa’s secondary cities. Urban Transformations (2023).
2. Impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Crisis on Migrants on the Move in Southern Africa: Implications for Policy and Practice. Health Systems & Reform (2022).
3. Borders and Boundaries in Daily Urban Mobility Practices of Refugees in Cape Town, South Africa. Refugee Survey Quarterly (2023).