Conflict transformation and peace study in contemporary society: a case study of the relationship between African Foreign Nationals and local citizens in the city of Durban”.

Abstract

The phenomenon of migration is not new in Africa. It has, however, not remained static and unchanging both in its form and dynamics over time. It has responded to and has been affected by changing social, economic, political and ecological conditions and processes. Africa’s recent history has been that of a series of rapid changes in all these aspects. However, some observers have described Africa as a “continent perpetually on the move” Hence, people of Africa are perpetually on the move perhaps more so than other regions in the world. Significantly, the movements are both intra-and inter-continental migrations. Nonetheless, the context of conflict includes the society in conflict and the wider international and regional level. Within the society, crucial background aspects are culture, governance arrangements, institutions, social roles, norms, the rules and codes in place in society, and its path of development. As globalisation proceeds, local conflicts are inevitably influenced by wider economic and political forces. These have tended to strengthen trade investment and technological networks in some areas of the world, but also to marginalise other areas such as Africa and the former Soviet Union. This study aim is to conduct a research project on the relationship between African foreign nationals and local citizens in the city of Durban to explore their perceptions of causes of xenophobia, and possible strategies for dealing with this type of behaviour.