Xenophobia in Literature and Film as a Re-claim of Space and Re-make of Apartheid

Abstract

Xenophobia in South Africa still needs more analysis just as the field of violence is still wide open for speculation.  The primary focus in the evaluation of the causes of xenophobia is on micro-politics and political discourse while the cultural aspect is most often neglected. As a concept, xenophobia is often explained by reference to present-day social, economic and political crises. The explanation that most of the violence facing millions of Africans results from the demands made on people by globalisation is often accepted without question. Moving away from this thinking and mindful of the fact that people do not live outside culture and history, there is a need to evaluate the effect of history and the recent shift in culture on the cancerous violence that infects the soul of South Africa. It is hoped that drawing on the theory of ‘home,’ developed by Alfred Schuetz, and with an eye on film a window could be opened on culture for understanding xenophobia within its cultural context. In this discussion, the strategy to curb violence and suggestions to improve media representation of Africa are also tackled.