South Africa enters the second wave of xenophobic violence: the rise of anti-immigrant organisations in South Africa

ABSTRACT

Based on an analysis of authenticated YouTube videos and Internet news reports, this article argues that South Africa has entered the second wave of xenophobic violence targeting mainly black immigrants from other African countries. What makes this wave unique is the fact that organised formations that are relentless in their campaigns against immigrants have used various strategies and tactics, such as marches, protest actions, and social media, to identify or position immigrants as the cause of crime, poverty, and unemployment in South Africa. This phenomenon of organisations that have formal structures and leaders that are primarily formed to target immigrants in South Africa is still emerging and therefore little has been written on the topic, making it an under-researched area. The article contends that crime, economic decay, unemployment, poverty, and the general social and economic instability, and the organic crisis in general have led to the formation of anti-immigrant organisations.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Research Foundation (South Africa) [grant number TTK150718127562].