A Qualitative Case Study of Experience of Xenophobia Among Francophone African Informal Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Pretoria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.326Keywords:
Xenophobia, Francophone African, Informal Immigrant Entrepreneurs, LocalsAbstract
Francophone African immigrants in South Africa find it difficult to find formal employment because of exclusive laws and the challenge of language barriers. Accordingly, they frequently resort to informal businesses which expose them to acts of xenophobia. Xenophobia and Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs have negative and positive consequences in South Africa. This article presents a descriptive account of individual experiences of xenophobia among thirty (30) Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs in Pretoria during the conduct of their business. It therefore, seek to answer the following questions; (a) How are Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs discriminated against while conducting their business in Pretoria? (b) What type of harassment do they face while conducting their business in Pretoria? (c) Why are they attacked while conducting their business in Pretoria? This descriptive qualitative case study adopts content analysis to describe the experience of xenophobia among Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs in Pretoria. The findings reveal “skipping” Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs to buy from South African informal traders is an experience of discrimination. It establishes virtual, verbal, and physical harassments Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs experience while conducting their business in Pretoria. It demonstrates that the failure to lend money to South Africans or calling police on locals attract violent attacks against Francophone African informal immigrant entrepreneurs while conducting their business in Pretoria.
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