The development of ethnic minorities: A case study of west Africans in South Africa

[摘要] This thesis is a study of how West Africa immigrants experience immigration into SouthAfrica, and how they are affected by their new context. Based on interview schedule(survey), in-depth interviews, observations (direct and indirect), primary and secondarysources, some 112 Cameroonians and Nigerians (72 Cameroonians and 40 Nigerians)were studied between May 2001 and December 2003.The study revealed that, xenophobia, discrimination, and the South African affirmativeaction, make it difficult for West African immigrants to achieve their goals in thecountry. From an overall perspective, these immigrants are not allowed to work or study;they suffer harassment, social exclusion and gross human rights abuses in the country.While the majority of these immigrants have actually abandoned their home countries forSouth Africa, various reasons account for their immigration into South Africa. A study ofthe factors influencing West African immigration into South Africa, found that, althoughseveral factors account for West African immigration into South Africa, the factors areinterlinked to one another, and not independent in themselves. I showed that, althoughpush and pull factors, such as political, economic, socio-cultural factors, communicationand technological advances, proximity, precedence and tradition of migration influenceWest African immigration into South Africa, the role of family pride, usually ignored inmost migration studies is fast becoming an emerging push factor of migration in the WestAfrican sub-region.In South Africa, West African immigrants interact with the general public, as well assome government institutions most notably, the Department of Home Affairs. Anexamination of past and current immigration policy, the Department of Home Affairs,and the general public found that although immigrants enter South Africa with the hopeof improving their lives, and those of family members back home, they are sociallyexcluded; suffer from serious human rights abuses, discrimination and xenophobichostility. The Aliens Control Act of 1991, the new Refugee Act of 1998, negative attitudeof some officials, interpreters and the general public, a simultaneous increase in theiiinumber of immigrants with unemployment, lack of socialization between South Africansand West Africans, apartheid isolation and indoctrination of South Africans, and the roleof the media have all contributed to the high levels of discrimination and xenophobichostility West Africans experience in South Africa. I have termed this fear and dislike ofWest Africans, and the resultant negative reactions by South Africans 'Westaphobia’.The study saw West African immigrants as socially excluded in South African. Anexamination why, revealed the factors and the reasons as another facet of discriminationand xenophobia. It was found that, immigrants adapt in various ways to resistdiscrimination and xenophobia, and in the course of adapting, modify their personalidentities, giving rise to multiple identities. Such hybridities were evident in immigrantsdressing, dancing and hairstyles, expressive gestures, having more South African friends,changing legal status, joining, forming and organizing social functions.Despite experiences of discrimination, xenophobia and exclusion, the study found thatimmigrants implement certain strategies to ensure their survival in South Africa. In themidst of these problems, some immigrants still manage to succeed in their businesses andother under takings. Immigrants’ high concentration in Hillbrow with its commercial andlocational advantages, initial capital through immigrants’ networks, the use of familylabor, are all added advantages. The study also found that through small businessactivities, and the trading of ethnic goods, immigrants are able to survive and sendremittances back home. At the same time, trading in and consuming ethnic goods helpstrengthened immigrants self-identification, unify and link them to their roots. Furtherrevelations saw some of the immigrants as transmigrants, who develop hybrid identities,and live their lives across boundaries. In this way, they are able to succeed despite theirstatus as the undesirables in South Africa. Others are pushed to the wall, and are forced totransgress various margins of the law, to ensure their survival, resist discrimination andxenophobic hostility in South Africa. For some, transgressing margins of the law is thefastest means of amassing wealth to be able to live a better live in South Africa, and stilltake care of family members in their home countries.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand