Clik here to view.
Intimidation and violence against foreign nationals and internal migrants has been an ongoing feature of post-Apartheid South Africa. While the most intense period of intimidation and violence took place in May 2008, similar patterns of behaviour began long before and have yet to stop. The intolerance against foreign nationals occurs in locales with high (but not the highest) levels of economic deprivation, high percentages of male residents, high levels of informal housing, and high levels of language diversity (including many South African and foreign languages).
The key trigger against outsiders in specific locations appears to be localised competition for political (formal and informal) and economic power. Leaders, and aspirant leaders, often mobilise residents to intimidate and/or attack and evict foreign nationals as a means of strengthening their personal political or economic power within the local community. Lately, there has been overwhelming evidence of violence against businesses owned by African migrants particularly in Gauteng and in some regions of KwaZulu-Natal
This intolerance and violence is a symptom of broader challenges of legitimate and accountable local governance, especially in informal settlements. It is likely to continue if concerted efforts to address impunity and scapegoating are not instituted speedily. The government has made small steps in these directions but there is a lot that needs to be done. One of the ways to address this situation is by having conversations amongst ourselves as citizens and our migrant communities to question those aspects of our society that seem to be driving us apart as Africans.
Our key conversational questions are:
- What is driving us apart from each other?
- How can we, together as citizens, co-exist peacefully and co-create sustainable communities?
Come and make your voice heard!
Event dDetails:
Speaker: Prof Ahmed Bawa- Vice Chancellor of Durban University of Technology.
DATE: 14 April 2015
TIME: 4:30 for 5:00-7:00 pm
VENUE: DUT, City Campus, Room 207
ADDRESS: Corner of Smith St, Warwick Ave & Berea Road, Tel: 031 373 2000
PARKING: Safe off-road parking is available
COST: Free
RSVP: Please complete the form below and send to DDP via rsvp@ddp.org.za or fax 031 306 2261 on or before 2 April 2015.
Seats arelimited and restricted to those that have confirmed.
For general enquiries call 031 304 9305
