Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Xenophobia, an act of perpetuating violation on human rights has negative implications on the teaching community. This study explored the nature and prevalence of xenophobia in South African higher learning institutions. In exploring the nature and prevalence of xenophobia within higher learning institutions, this we considered the perceptions of black foreign national students studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban University of Technology, South Africa. Using qualitative individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews, this paper revealed that xenophobia is a common reality within both universities. The findings further uncovered that the nature of xenophobia within higher learning institutions is often expressed through discriminatory practices and name-calling. Additionally, university staff and students often perpetuate acts of xenophobia. The xenophobic attacks are either verbal or emotional and not physical as it is often the case with the broader South African communities. As a result, reporting xenophobic attitudes and behaviours becomes problematic. This paper recommends that the implementation of laws that relate to xenophobia as an offence can lower xenophobic attacks and secondary victimisation when students attempt to report incidents of xenophobia. Another recommendation is that of establishing a xenophobia helpline in universities through which international students who are victimised can call to report victimisation.