IGBOSCHOLARS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IGBO SCHOLARS FORUM, NIGERIA

The study is an attempt to interrogate the contradictions that exist between Ubuntu which is the love and affection for humanity and xenophobia which is the fear and hatred for foreigners. South Africa has the Ubuntu philosophy which prides in African uniqueness and oneness. A philosophy that emphasises the necessity of constantly promoting good relations between and among people that is predicated on a culture of caring, sharing, and respect as the only way of ensuring the well being of the collective whole. The incidence of xenophobia which is the anti-thesis of Ubuntu is something that no one ever envisaged knowing that South African blacks went through a horrendous regime of apartheid that was anchored on segregation and discrimination. A cross section of South Africans visited immigrants from other African countries with an onslaught of xenophobic attacks that led to the destruction of foreign business concerns and death of many immigrants. The study deployed historical narrative design in exploring all available documentary information on Ubuntu and xenophobia. Historical narrative design is part of expo facto design. The method of data collection deployed by the study is secondary data collection. The method of data analysis deployed by the study is Relational Content Analysis. The study deployed Relative Deprivation and Frustration-Aggression Theories as its theoretical framework.

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