Reconstructing Discourses on Local-Migrant Relations: A Nuanced Perspective from a South African Transnational Social Space

South Africa is a significant immigration destination in Africa because of its perceived potential for socioeconomic improvement of the lives of migrants from other African nations. Literature shows that this scenario has led to disenchantment among the local citizenry, resulting in anti-immigrant discourses. A pervasive narrative is that foreigners come to steal jobs and other social benefits meant for locals. This has led to a nationalist discourse, leading to verbal and physical violence against migrants.

Scholars in the context have duly examined how xenophobic sentiments play out in the context in diverse forms, and the implications for relations between migrants and locals. Yet, little focus has been given to investigating the nuances that impact on this state of affairs, particularly with respect to the reconstruction of migrant identities, and how these reconstructions feed into social relations, especially among migrants themselves.

Employing the theoretical frameworks of translocational positionality and intersectionality, this presentation argues that the local versus migrant narrative hinged on xenophobia discourses is inadequate to explain the shape and quality of relations between majority and minority groups in the transnational social space. Rather, an understanding of how migrant identities are reworked, and sometimes melt into local populations, and how this itself impacts on the quality of relations among migrants and locals is necessitated. Significant findings emerge from a qualitative study among forty-six young, transmigrant, African men in Johannesburg using individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

The presentation re-examines and redirects the xenophobia discourse towards more nuanced perspectives and what implications this has for policymaking aimed at integration in the transnational social space.