Xenophobic tendencies in higher learning institutions as impediments to the call for African renaissance

• Published in: African renaissance 2018-06, Vol.15 (2), p.171-191
• Main Authors: Iwara, I.O., Amaechi, K.E., Obadire, O.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apartheid; Campuses; College campuses; College students; Colleges & universities; Cultural differences; Fear & phobias; Immigration; Inner city; Institutions; International students; Learning; Looting; Migration; Noncitizens; Political activism; Political process; Prevention programs; Public opinion surveys; Shootings; Social activism; Social cohesion; Social movement theory; Social movements; Society; Students; University students; Violence; Xenophobia; Xenophobic attacks
• ISSN: 1744-2532; 2516-5305
• DOI: 10.31920/2516-5305/2018/v15n2a8

The University of Venda has enjoyed a relatively peaceful cohesion and co-existence of students within and outside the university campus, irrespective of their different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In this article, we critically examine the anti-xenophobic measures put in place at the institution. Relying mostly on semi-structured interviews of members of the university staff, international and local students, and borrowing ideas from political process model within the social movement theory, we argue that the anti-xenophobic measures set in place in the University campus are the main deterring factors for averting xenophobic incidents on the campus. The study observed that xenophobic sentiments may exist among University of Venda students; however, the lack of appropriate enabling resources and political opportunities to act, as a result of measures set in place by the University authorities, has made it difficult for such attacks to be carried out by those who harbour such thoughts. Hence, institutions of higher learning should prioritise policies and similar preventive measures to guide against such attacks in any form within their campuses.