The Implications and Dynamics of Xenophobic Attacks Against Nigerians In South Africa

Hostility toward migrant workers by citizens of host countries has become a common trend around the African continent. Some studies and opinions have put the blame solely at the door step of the migrant workers. Some have even suggested that it is the frustration of the citizens of the host countries occasioned by their inability to compete with the foreigners for limited jobs that has led to the aggression toward migrant workers, whom they see as being the cause of their problems. This paper however, examines how the concepts of citizenship, statelessness and nationality have conspired to negatively affect the plight of Nigeria-South Africa relations in Africa. The study proposes the Group-Threat model as the theoretical framework for the understanding of the relationships between national identity and xenophobia. This is because this theory explains out-group hostility by focusing on group identity. Analysis of data gotten from the Nigerian community in South Africa suggests that national identity is related to negative sentiments of individuals toward foreigners. This is deduced from the notion that xenophobia is shaped by the specific nature of national identity in a given society. This study therefore suggests amongst others, that there is need for swift prosecution of instigators and perpetrators of hate crimes to deter future violence.