Xenophobic Expressions in Post-Apartheid South Africa in Retrospect of Leviticus 19:33-34's Injunctions and Ubuntu.
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Date
2020
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Department of Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
Abstract
The sustained trend of violence against immigrants of other nations in post apartheid South Africa calls for serious concern because of the yearning in recent
years for Africa renaissance through Pan Africanism, a yearning largely credited to Thabo Mbeki, the former President of South Africa. While the realization of this craving is still being anticipated, African race is confronted with xenophobic attacks leading to loss of lives and properties. Taking cognisance of the official response of South African Council of Churches to the issue and leaning on historical and exegetical research tools, this paper interrogates the reason for the perpetuity of the problem despite prominence of anti xenophobia ideologies in the cultural, political
and religious domains of the country. Biblical prescription for treating a foreigner contained in Heiligkeitsgesetz (the holiness code) of Leviticus 19:3334, ubuntu and the advocacy for the African renaissance was used as prisms for responding to this social malaise. The gleanings from the Bible text align with the prominent South
African cultural philosophy of Ubuntu and the objectives of the African renaissance crusade. Hypocrisy of political leadership, scapegoat blame fixing by traditional leadership is found as part of the reasons for the sustained recurrence of xenophobic attacks. Therefore, the Government of South Africa and traditional rulers should engage in National re-orientation for the citizens and demonstrate political will to eliminate this social debacle. The Church should along side harness economic resources to empower the indigent, engage in campaign against continued perpetuation of xenophobia through sincere and sustained religious education.
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Fawenu, Bamidele Olusegun. 2020. "Xenophobic Expressions in Post-Apartheid South Africa in Retrospect of Leviticus 19:33-34's Injunction." Akungba Journal of Religion and African Culture 8 (2): 3-21.