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University of Cape Town 2010 The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University Fear, Dislike and Hate: What Constitutes Xenophobia? (An analysis of violence against foreigners in De Doorns, South Africa November, 2009) Alexandra Davis, DVSALE004 A minor dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Masters of Philosophy in DevelopmTownent Studies Cape of Faculty of the Humanities University of Cape Town 2010 COMPULSORY UniversityDECLARATION This work has not been previously submitted in whole, or in part, for the award of any degree. It is my own work. Each significant contribution to, and quotation in, this dissertation from the work, or works, of other people has been attributed, and has been cited and referenced. Signature: Date: Acknowledgements My research into xenophobia would not have been possible if it had not been for the men, women and children who were displaced to the Safety Sites in Cape Town and Gautang and who were always welcoming and willing to discuss their stories. They have been an inspiration to me. The Scalabrini Centre, Cape Town, specifically Miranda Madikani and Lena Opfermann who facilitated the research, made all of this possible. And the wonderful people of De Doorns who were always helpful, welcoming and willing to share their stories and opinions with me, they are at the heart of this paper. My supervisor, Ari Sitas, always willing to discuss my findings, provided fabulous insight into my work. Finally, there is one individual who has been instrumental in everything I have learned working with NGOs in Cape Town. My co-researcher and co-author for the NGO report on De Doorns and chairperson of PAX South Africa, Anne-Marie Robb. She is not only an incredible woman, but a wonderful friend. Without her, none of this would have been possible. To all these people I offer my utmost thanks, they have broadened my experiences and taught me much about what it is to live in South Africa as both citizens and foreigners. They have also shown me the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Thank you. Town Cape of University 2 Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................6 Research Question .........................................................................................................................6 Motivation......................................................................................................................................6 Overview of Research....................................................................................................................7 Limits of Research..........................................................................................................................7 Chapter 2: Theoretical Analysis .................................................8 Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing and Xenophobia: Mann’s Dark Democracy ......................................8 Sociobiological Hypothesis ...........................................................................................................10 Isolation Hypothesis .....................................................................................................................11 The ‘phobia’ in Xenophobia ..................................................................................................12 Scapegoat Hypothesis ..................................................................................................................13 Public Rhetoric .............................................................................................................................14 Labelling and Symbolic Interactionism..........................................................................................14 Sentiment vs. Action.....................................................................................................................16 Protest Culture .............................................................................................................................17 Chapter 3: Methodology .........................................................21 Preparatory Research and Statistical Data................................................................Town....................21 Field Research..............................................................................................................................21 Participant Observation................................................................................................................22 Interviews ....................................................................................................................................22 Limits and Advantages of the Method Chosen .............................................................................23 Barriers to Research................................................................................................Cape .....................24 Ethical Considerations ................................................................of ..................................................25 Chapter 4: Context..................................................................26 Segregation, Racism and Apartheid .............................................................................................26 The Agricultural Sector.................................................................................................................27 Working and living in De Doorns ................................................................................................28 Service Delivery and Housing ......................................................................................................30 Protesting in De Doorns ...............................................................................................................31 Zimbabweans in De Doorns.........................................................................................................32 Xenophobia ................................University................................................................ .................................34 Chapter 5: Events ....................................................................35 An Early Case of Xenophobia......................................................................................................35 Service Delivery Problems ............................................................................................................35 Other Early Warning Signs ..........................................................................................................36 The Attacks..................................................................................................................................36 The Response...............................................................................................................................36 Chapter Six: Findings ...............................................................38 Parallel Government ....................................................................................................................38 Preferential labour .......................................................................................................................39 Migration Influx ...........................................................................................................................39 A Mistaken Perception of Working for Less .................................................................................39 Illegally Obtaining Housing..........................................................................................................39 3 Protest Action...............................................................................................................................40 Absence of Dislike .......................................................................................................................40 Chapter 7: Discussion ..............................................................41 Protest Culture .............................................................................................................................45 Other Identified Causes................................................................................................................47 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................48 Bibliography ............................................................................49 Appendix A .............................................................................53 Appendix B..............................................................................56 Appendix C .............................................................................59 Town Cape of University 4 Abstract This paper provides an analysis of xenophobic violence in South Africa. By examining the root of the term ‘xenophobia’ it is possible to show how the term has evolved to mean something entirely different in the present day. De Doorns, a small farming town in the Western Cape of South Africa is used as a case study, showing how the xenophobic violence
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