Why South African Xenophobia Feels Justified to Some

After years of struggle against oppression, black South Africans finally won their freedom. Now, many see foreign migrants arriving in large numbers and seizing the opportunities they fought hard for. Some even idolize old oppressors and look down on locals as lazy. Critics of South African xenophobia often overlook these frustrations. The majority of undocumented migrants come from Zimbabwe, not Nigeria. Many of the Nigerians involved also have little connection to their homeland, so the impact on Nigeria is often overstated. This situation parallels tensions in the US, where black Americans who battled for civil rights sometimes resent new African immigrants and their attitudes. Recognizing these underlying issues can add depth to the conversation on xenophobia.

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