The roots of ‘xenophobia’

Louisa Emmerich writes:

Sammi-Jo Botha, NMT editor, hit the nail on the head again in her article ‘Stop the Violence’, when she says that the ‘xenophobic’ attacks “…have more to do with being able to ransack shops and steal goods without being arrested, than it is about someone not being South African”.

To eradicate the violence that recently broke out against foreigners, government needs to look deeper to find the root causes that lie beneath the surface.

There is a marked difference in mindset between the foreigners who left their countries of origin in search of better opportunities in South Africa, and the local youth who attacked them and looted their businesses.

The foreigners make a concerted effort to earn a living by starting small businesses or spaza shops selling clothing, groceries and basic necessities, or walking the streets with their wares.

Many of the local youth on the other hand make no effort to earn an honest living, expecting government to give them jobs and supply all their needs.

Seeing the foreigners becoming financially independent, the local youth become jealous and accuse them of depriving them of job opportunities.

They fail to recognise or acknowledge that the foreigners have put in a great deal of effort to support themselves and their families, and in the process are benefiting the local community.

The local youth then see the foreigners as rivals and feel entitled to attack them and loot their businesses, behaving like scavengers.

With all due respect, government is partly to blame for the misconduct of the South African youth.

Firstly, government made promises that it could not keep, resulting in an attitude of dependency amongst the people.

Secondly, the child grant system has led to a rapid population growth amongst the poor, worsening the problem of rampant poverty and unemployment.

Although the original intention was noble, the child grant system has led to large-scale exploitation.

Teenage girls, for example, have a child because they want a grant.

The million-dollar question is how to change the attitude of dependency.

Good parenting is an important factor in instilling positive attitudes and behaviour patterns in children.

It may be beneficial for government officials, as well as church and community leaders, to motivate and inspire the people to stand up and take responsibility for themselves.