Deciphering Xenophobic Violence in South Africa: A Closer Look at Systemic Roots and Misplaced Anger

Deciphering Xenophobic Violence in South Africa: A Closer Look at Systemic Roots and Misplaced Anger

South Africa, a nation celebrated for its vibrant cultural diversity and progressive constitutional ideals, has repeatedly grappled with waves of xenophobic violence that expose deep-seated societal fractures. Over the past decade, sporadic yet devastating outbreaks of hostility against foreign nationals—particularly from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Nigeria—have left communities in shock. The most recent flare-ups, including…