Xenophobia in South Africa: A Human Security Perspective on African Foreign Nationals in Durban

South Africa now has the unfortunate reputation as one of the more hostile destinations in the world for African migrants. The violence that took place in 2008 and 2015, as well as the hate crimes that occur with everyday regularity, present a pressing human rights concern. This violence and hate crimes were previously considered as mere sentiments of hatred or negative attitudes towards foreigners. This research provides a different way of understanding xenophobia. It suggests that xenophobia can best be understood as series of crimes against foreign nationals - which are violent in nature leading to physical beating, killing and the looting of goods as well as destroy of property owned by foreign nationals. As with anyone, foreigner nationals living in South Africa should have unhindered access to the socio-economic and cultural facilities available in the communities in which they live. This would make them feel part of the community.