108 4. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES 4.1 Xenophobia A number of explanations have been put forward for the outbreak of violence in South African communities where foreign nationals live side-by-side with locals. The explanations have come both from government agencies, and through the popular press, ‘with differing levels of credibility and social scientific validity’ (HSRC 2008). These range from explanations which suggest external manipulation through a ‘third force’, criminal instigation, a dislike and fear of foreign Africans, to poverty and the competition for scarce resources in poor communities91. The attacks, which started in Alexandra in May 2008, subsequently spread to other areas in and around Johannesburg, including Cleveland, Diepsloot, Hillbrow, Tembisa, Primrose, Ivory Park and Thokoza. Reports of xenophobic violence were widespread in other provinces such as Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape. What complicates the picture is that evidence abounds that violence is not only targeting foreign African nationals, but also certain South Africans, like the ‘Shangaans’, and nonNguni speakers in certain communities92. Therefore, South Africa is confronting a complex challenge of xenophobic attitudes sometimes accompanied by conflict and violence. First, the question is whether the label ‘xenophobia’ is the correct one? Secondly, are the ramifications of this phenomenon uniquely South African? The country has condemned xenophobia not only because it is an embarrassment – but mainly because it is an affront to South Africa’s moral conscience. South Africa government is putting measures in place to deal with root causes of xenophobia. Government aims to ensure domestic peace and security and out rightly condemns any acts of violence against persons of any race, creed or colour. Xenophobic violence, wherever it has occurred, has been strongly criticised by the government and organs of civil society. That is why the Report of the Task Team of Members of Parliament, ‘Probing Violence and Attacks on foreign nationals’, in pursuance of a National Assembly resolution agreed that “xenophobic attitudes do exist among some South African citizens and could have been exploited to initiate the violence and attacks on foreign nationals. Xenophobia is largely based on unfounded and unverified fears as well as the inclination to stereotype foreigners as the cause of social and economic problems in the host country. However, xenophobia is not confined only to foreigners it can also be directed at local citizens, unknown to a specific grouping, or perceived to behave in a manner unknown to a specific grouping”93. With the assistance of universities, research councils and research NGOs, the government has carefully studied xenophobia in the country hence the strengthening of interventions to support community building initiatives. The implications of xenophobic violence for policy makers, civic groups and stakeholders have all been documented and are used to inform the 91 Human Sciences Research Council (2008):‘’Report Violence and Xenophobia in South Africa: Developing Consensus, Moving to Action, HSRC, Pretoria. 92 Ibid, p. 2. 93 Parliament of the Republic of South Africa (2008): ‘Report of the Task Team of Members of Parliament Probing Violence and Attacks on Foreign Nationals’, National Assembly, Cape Town. 108