The invention of foreigners
Category: Society
What if xenophobia in South Africa is less about scarce jobs and more about how we define belonging? I trace Mahmood Mamdani's Democratic Theory and Democratic Struggles and show how colonial rule turned ethnicity into citizenship, exposing the colonial legacy of citizenship and ethnic violence in Africa.
Rolly's Take
This blog speaks to those who find themselves grappling with the complexities of identity in a world marked by division and conflict. It resonates with individuals seeking deeper understanding, not just of the symptoms of xenophobia, but of the historical and theoretical underpinnings that shape belonging and citizenship. For the reflective reader, it offers a thoughtful exploration of how colonial legacies continue to influence contemporary struggles, inviting them to reconsider familiar narratives and challenge the boundaries that define community. It is a space for profound inquiry, where the echoes of the past meet the urgent questions of today.