Views from the Neighbors

Two Stellenbosch University PhD candidates from Zimbabwe, Hezron and Herbert, gave us perspectives from a neighboring country about South Africa. They spoke about the Socio-Political Context of Southern Africa. Given South Africa's history, it was interesting to hear Hezron call South Africa a "role model and influential country in the Southern African Development Community and Africa at large." He described how many people from within Africa come to South Africa in search of better opportunities. What a stark contrast to the 1960s, 70s and 80s! I remember news reports about apartheid and violence against blacks in the 1980s, and yet now black Africans view South Africa as a beacon for prosperity. Thankfully, it is a new era in South Africa, with a new constitution that provides fundamental human rights.

Hezron and Herbert spoke of the mixed reactions they received from their Tanzanian colleagues when they shared plans to study at Stellenbosch University. Their colleagues asked why they would want to study at a university with a predominantly white student body and be under scrutiny as outsiders. Hezron said Xenophobia, or prejudice against people from other countries, is present in South Africa partly because of the many refugees who have come in recent years. The popular perception is refugees take jobs away from South Africans. The refugees, on the other hand, believe they contribute to the South African economy. This tension is not unique to South Africa, but what surprised Hezron and Herbert was the absence of refugee camps. They were impressed with how South Africa makes it possible for refugees to assimilate with South Africans.

Our Tanzanian friends helped us understand how its neighbors view South Africa. When Hezron and Herbert ended their presentation, they received an invitation from us to visit South Texas!