A critical evaluation of the key theoretical concepts and models on xenophobia as depicted in the drama of MS Serudu's Naga ga di etelane: A qualitative approach

Abstract

The term ‘xenophobia’ is commonly explained by various scholars as unreasonable fear, distrust, hatred of strangers and foreigners. Normally, these feelings are perpetuated by several factors or views such as political, socio-cognitive and cultural approaches, identity formation and interactive models between in-groups and out-groups (foreign nationals and host populations). This paper aims to evaluate the drama of MS Serudu entitled Naga ga di etelane (No better place than home) which was published in 1977. It is one of the Northern Sotho dramas that were published prior to the establishment of a democratic South Africa. However, the issue addressed is pertinent to the new South Africa, as evidenced by the xenophobic attacks of 2008 in Gauteng and 2011 in the Eastern Cape and the Limpopo province. The text will be evaluated against the key concepts and models of explaining xenophobia as postulated by Boehnke (2001) and Runciman (1972). The phenomenological approach will be used to analyse the selected drama. This will be done critically, analysing the concept ‘xenophobia’ based on the key theoretical concepts and models to illustrate how both nationalism and patriotism contribute towards the promotion of xenophobic attitudes and behaviour. Finally, the paper will determine whether the identified text supports the key theoretical concepts and models identified.