The effects of Xenophobia in South African local businesses

Xenophobia is more than just violent attacks on people of different nationalities. It affects a nation socially, politically and economically. With Eskoms crisis affecting South Africa’s economy, clearly xenophobia has affected our economy, especially in the tourism industry.

At least seven people have been killed in the violence of xenophobic attacks in SAOver thousands of immigrants were highly forced to return back to their homes, says Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina “xenophobic attacks has cost the country billion of rands in exporting foreign revenues”.

Xenophobic attacks have affected the operational services of various southern African brand names operating across southern Africa such as Old Mutual, Shoprite, Standard Bank, MTN telecommunications group and Nedbank. During the crisis of xenophobic violence, about 200 people in Mozambique briefly blocked the main boarder and threw rocks at South African vehicles as a form of fighting back. This issue has affected most sectors in South African local businesses, Unions and transport sectors.

Immigrants protest against xenophobic violence:

 http://bit.ly/1EX1rjJ

Transport services in South Africa have contributed to the country’s economy by developing and improving service delivery in the country. Oil is produced and supplied by African countries, if xenophobic violence continues, it will affect the country with transport service delivery and tourism sectors in South Africa. Will xenophobia create war within African countries? One of the influential Zimbabwe National Students Union president Gilbert Mutubuki gathered all youth to attack local South African business. Violence is not the language of unity nor peace but hate.

If the violence does not end, it will be an end of African unity, sponsors and investors in South Africa will lose their steak meaning businesses will lose profit which in results affects the country’s economy. South African government and organisations have taken action against xenophobic violence through awareness campaigns on social media platforms such as #NoToXenophobia. Let us not fight as African brothers and sisters, let us restore the dignity of Ubuntu. Africa is for Africans.