Reducing youth participation in xenophobic violence : case study of Durban

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the role played by youth especially Black young men in related xenophobic violence. Drawing on qualitative research sessions involving young men and women who are citizens, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers living in South Africa. The thesis offers four overarching focal points. Firstly, it contextualizes and critiques historical state structures and attitudes which shape the understandings of xenophobia and xenophobic violence in South Africa. Secondly, it analyses everyday experiences triggering young people to take part in violence labelled as xenophobic. Thirdly, it draws from global cases where xenophobia has occurred to understand the xenophobia has occurred to understand the xenophobic phenomenon comprehensively. Fourthly, it adopts the scapegoating theory of prejudice as the basis of the underlying factors triggering the attacks.