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South Africa's anti-foreigner violence

What's behind a spate of xenophobic attacks?

South Africa is one of the richest countries in Africa. Its businesses and investments have been a catalyst for growth on the continent and according to the World Bank, African immigrants have made a positive impact on South Africa’s economy. Yet foreign workers come under regular attack in South Africa. In the most recent spate of violence, hundreds of foreign owned businesses were damaged by protestors who said foreigners were taking their jobs. Several people died. The South African government condemned the attacks; but fell short of calling them xenophobic. Others on the continent aren't so sure. From Ethiopia to Zambia to Nigeria the reaction has been fierce. Artists have cancelled events, radio stations have boycotted South African music and hundreds of Nigerians were repatriated to Lagos. Julian Worricker and a panel of expert guests discuss the latest signs of anti-foreigner intolerance in South Africa. Why are immigrants being targeted in the Rainbow Nation and what impact will the negative reaction have on the country?

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Sat 14 Sep 2019 03:06GMT

Contributors

Loren LandauÌý- Senior Researcher at the African Center for Migration and SocietyÌý

Nomfundo MogapiÌý- Executive Director, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation

Verashni Pillay -ÌýSouth African journalist and editor

Jason Robinson - Senior Africa analyst atÌýOxford Analytica

Also featuring

SJ Uba - deputy secretary-general of the Nigerian Citizen Association South AfricaÌý Ìý

Dakota Legoete - acting spox for ANC

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Photo

Air Peace flight attendants hold placards to denounce xenophobia as a first group of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic violence arrives in Lagos, on September 11, 2019. Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty Images

Broadcasts

  • Fri 13 Sep 2019 08:06GMT
  • Fri 13 Sep 2019 23:06GMT
  • Sat 14 Sep 2019 02:06GMT
  • Sat 14 Sep 2019 03:06GMT

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