South Africa: Xenophobia in South Africa - a Lack of Visionary Leadership

Xenophobia thrives in South Africa as is the case with much of the world. Citizens, especially those experiencing hard times, blame less fortunate foreigners, often from neighboring states, for poverty, crowded conditions, and crime. “In 2000 a major scenario exercise: ‘Southern Africa in 2020’ painted a grim picture of the southern Africa region in two decades, suggesting that only a new generation of visionary and democratic leaders as well as a spurt in economic growth would reverse the region's fortunes,” writes Ozias Tungwarara for AllAfrica.com. Tungwarara endorses the report’s finding that only visionary leaders can put a stop to hatred driven by cycles of “violent conflict; corruption and patronage; authoritarian rule; uncontrolled globalization; ineffectual governance; extreme poverty and inequality; cyclical droughts; economic mismanagement; and rapid rural to urban migration.” The report and Tungwarara urge condemnation of xenophobia in the world’s fastest growing continent. – YaleGlobal