Lost in Translation : A critical Analysis of Xenophobia in Africa

Following the full-blown attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa in 2008, which had been isolated before then, xenophobia as a concept has reclaimed its place in the African and international discourse. As commentators turned their attention to South Africa following these attacks, the 'Ghana Must Go' debacle - mass deportation of Ghanaians from Nigeria which was carried out by the Nigerian government- was rehashed. Instead of recounting xenophobic events, this article will focus on problematizing the concept and juxtaposing it with terms such as 'Afrophobia' and 'Negrophobia'. We argue that the term 'xenophobia' has been used so loosely that it has lost its actual meaning. We provide a critical analysis of the events that have taken place in South Africa and locate them within the broader analytical context. We then conclude with a warning on the negative repercussions of a casual use of the term "xenophobia" which might obscure meaning.