Perceptions of African immigrants in Pretoria on service delivery in the Department of Home Affairs
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Date
2012
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Abstract
This study claimed that largely for socio-political reasons as well as
the general impact of globalization, information and communication technology, all
synthesized as pull or push factors, migration has become a major phenomenon in Africa in
the 21st century. Recent studies have also identified South Africa as a major destination for
African immigrants since the end of apartheid. It is against this background that the study is
aimed at investigating perceptions about African immigrants and attitudes towards them by
the officials of the Department of Home Affairs, the official agency that is constitutionally
mandated to handle immigrant affairs in South Africa. Theoretically, the study agreed with
Neocosmos (2008) that several theories that seek to explain xenophobic attitudes and
perceptions have not fully satisfied curiosity, especially regarding the behaviour of some
officials. The study therefore turned to ‘Makwerekwere’ theory as propounded by Matsinhe
in 2011. To achieve the above stated objective the study adopted both quantitative and
qualitative research approaches, specifically the main data collection instrument of a
questionnaire, sent to a sample of 300 Tshwane/Pretoria-based immigrants from six selected
African countries. After rigorous data analysis, expressed in various tables and charts, the
findings indicate that while Xenophobia is not South Africa’s official state policy, from the
opinions of African immigrants and their experiences, some officials of the Department of
Home Affairs have over time displayed negative attitudes towards African immigrants. In
conclusion, the study suggests that corruption exists in the Department (in the views of
African immigrants) and African immigrants feel that the government (state authority) has
not attended to this phenomenon with the seriousness it requires.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Public Administration in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of Commerce and Law, at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012.
Keywords
African immigrants, Immigration and immigrants--South Africa, Service delivery -- South Africa