Globalization, Migration and the Plight of Nigerians in South Africa

An important manifestation of globalization is migration. The growing social, economic, and cultural interconnectedness epitomized by the concept of “globalization” has facilitated migration in ever greater numbers between an increasingly diverse and geographically distant array of destination and origin countries. The impacts of migration are complex, bringing both benefits and disadvantages. As migration provides a supply of low cost labour for host countries, while remittances from emigrant workers can be an important source of foreign income for sending nations. However, immigration can fuel resentment and fear towards newcomers in receiving states, as immigrants are discriminated against, accused of lowering wages and associated with crime, among other complaints. Such is the case in South Africa. Migrants are increasingly viewed negatively in South Africa and xenophobic attacks and intolerance of migrants, most especially African migrants, have increased in the past two decades. Nigerians are a major target of these attacks. This chapter examines the plight of Nigerians in South Africa, especially in the face of recurrent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. It argues that xenophobia is a repudiation of globalization that preaches tolerance of migration and mobility of labour, capital and innovation to any part of the world to generate maximum returns. Also, xenophobic attacks, discrimination and exclusion of migrants in South Africa are a violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims and these must be addressed for development to thrive in South Africa and Africa in general.