South Africa’s Xenophobia

A Call for an Ubuntu-Centred Intra-African Migration

Abstract

There have been deliberate mob attacks allegedly led by the anti-immigrant activist group Operation Dudula, which led to the death of Elvis Nyathi, a Zimbabwean citizen, in South Africa. These attacks prove the loss of important Ubuntu ethical values, such as interpersonal relationships characterised by identity and solidarity, a value recurrent to the people of sub- Saharan Africa. This paper contributes to the discourse on intra-African migration by suggesting practical ways to achieve effective migration and peaceful coexistence of African migrants within the African continent. I use the experiences of migrants in South Africa as a referent. I submit that the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, specifically targeting black people of African descent, are one of many issues that indicate the current loss of Ubuntu values, such as interpersonal relationships of identity and solidarity within African consciousness. As a result, this and other issues threaten intra-African migration. I conclude by providing prescriptive measures to strengthen the aforementioned values and enable a peaceful coexistence between migrants and South Africans.