Race-ing xenophobic violence: Engaging social representations of the black African body in post-apartheid South Africa

abstract

Intra-African migration to South Africa continues to be plagued by xenophobic violence and negative sentiments against black foreign bodies. The end of apartheid, exacerbated by regional and broader economic and political tensions on the continent, as well as general support of the anti-apartheid struggle by many African countries, has facilitated greater movement across and within the region. South African migration and economic isolation has in significant ways characterised the myriad forms of social group integration brought about by this transition. In this article we utilise the postcolonial theories of Frantz Fanon and Steve Biko to understand and critique the predominantly negative social representations of black foreign nationals. These social representations are used in the legitimation of xenophobia and other violent attacks against this group. We argue that the politics of race, language, gender and class underpin these incidences of xenophobia. We conclude with an argument for increased engagement with postcolonial contexts of intergroup relations using postcolonial approaches that are able to critically engage with the psychosocial aspects of a postcolonial State.

keywords:

• Fanon
• Biko
• postcolonial subjectivities
• migration
• xenophobia
• South Africa

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Malose Langa

MALOSE LANGA is a Programme Co-ordinator of Masters in Community-Based Counselling Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He is also a Senior Researcher at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, as well as an Associate Researcher at the Society, Work and Development Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand. His research interests include collective trauma, violence, masculinity, and youth at risk.

Peace Kiguwa

PEACE KIGUWA (PhD) is Senior Lecturer in the School of Human and Community Development in Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Her research interests include gender and sexuality, critical race theory, critical social psychology and teaching and learning. Her current research projects include a focus on young women’s leadership in higher education and destabilising heteronormativity project with the African Gender Institute and Action Aids International. She has co-edited three books and has published in both local and internationally accredited journals. She is currently co-editor of the accredited journal Psychology in Society (PINS) and co-editor on three Special Issue journals. Email: [email protected]