- Title
- The Role of the Mnquma Local Municipality in Addressing Xenophobic Tensions between Foreign Shop Owners and Local Community Members in South Africa: A case study of Butterworth; 2010-2012
- Creator
- Ndinisa, Sibongile
- Subject
- Xenophobia Foreign workers
- Date
- 2020
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MSoc (Political Science)
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18221
- Identifier
- vital:42243
- Description
- The study examines the role played by the Mnquma Local municipality in addressing xenophobic violence in Butterworth between 2010 and 2012 and subsequent sporadic tensions. The study also examines the causes as well as the sporadic recurrence of xenophobic tensions between foreign shop owners and local community members in Butterworth. Due to the nature of the study, ethnographic fieldwork was considered the most practical and suitable method in getting necessary responses regarding the study. The data collection instruments used were in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Participants comprised 15 foreign shop owners, 15 local community members. In addition, three interviews were conducted with relevant Mnquma Local Municipality officials who had been involved in addressing xenophobic tensions in Butterworth. In order to understand the dynamics of xenophobic tensions in Butterworth, the study employed two theories; the Scapegoating theory and Relative Deprivation theory. The study established that the causes of xenophobic tensions were largely due to the poor socio-economic situation in the Mnquma Municipality, which resulted in high rates of poverty, unemployment and competition for resources and business opportunities. Furthermore, misinformation on media platforms about foreign nationals and the inadequate opportunities for interaction also exacerbated tensions. Moreover, it was uncovered that the Mnquma Local Municipality did not have effective mechanisms to address xenophobic tensions. The study recommends that the municipality addresses service delivery needs of both locals and foreign nationals as this will create a safe and peaceful environment for foreign nationals to coexist with locals in Butterworth. x The study further urges the Mnquma Local Municipality to formulate an antixenophobia unit that can detect and combat any sign of xenophobia in all communities in Butterworth.
- Format
- 128 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Language
- English
- Rights
- University of Fort Hare
- Hits: 507
- Visitors: 573
- Downloads: 108
Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
View Details Download | SOURCE1 | NDINISA SIBONGILE DISSERTATION.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |