#EndXenophobia
Xenophobia threatens the lives and livelihoods of refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants and stateless people in general. South Africa has seen an increase in xenophobic sentiment and narratives through social media especially on Twitter under the hashtag #PutSouthAfricansFirst. While concern about migration laws and the impact of migration on poor communities is allowed and encouraged, xenophobia – which targets and seeks to harm people based on their immigration status cannot be tolerated or encouraged. And so, at Adonis Musati Project we launched the #EndXenophobia Campaign in November 2020.
ABOUT the #endxenophobia campaign
With support from Internews and USAID, Adonis Musati Project and New Voices ZA recently partnered to create the #EndXenophobia Campaign. The long-term vision for this initial 10-week social media campaign is to help change public opinion on migration and build engagement with South African religious and community leaders, politicians and celebrities, to help reshape the negative views, attitudes and beliefs about foreign nationals in South Africa.
campaign objectives:
A social media campaign that amplifies the voices of migrants
Increase exchange of credible information on migrants' rights
Greater public awareness of migrants’ rights, issues and stories
Increase dialogue through stories shared in Photovoice Workshops with national and non-national women and youth
DID YOU KNOW?
GET INVOLVED
We need everyone to come together, nationals and non-nationals, to showcase the good work done by non-nationals and their impact on South African communities across the Western Cape, highlight examples of xenophobic behaviour that are not acceptable in South African society, and challenge fears and public attitudes towards migrants. However, these public attitudes are entrenched and long-standing in our society, and will require contributions from all of us!
The #EndXenophobia Campaign also aims to communicate that not all migrant businesses are unregistered, express the fears and uncertainties that migrants hold living in South Africa, and ensure that migrants’ rights information and services are communicated clearly to all. Finally, we need your help to advocate for political, policy and social behaviour change in South Africans overall – especially with those in official positions such as clinic nurses, policemen, teachers, shop keepers and employers.
JOIN the #ENDXENOPHOBIA SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN AND HAVE YOUR SAY!
The campaign is initiated by @AdonisMusati (Twitter) @AdonisMusatiProject (Facebook), and @Internews.
Using the hashtag #EndXenophobia, get creative on social media and:
Share positive and uplifting stories of change and hope from migrants in your community (with permission!)
Use your voice to bring attention to xenophobic attitudes, actions and policies, and why we need to #EndXenophobia in South Africa
Share our posts, and tag your friends, family, community leaders, healthcare workers and teachers to bring them into the conversation.
MIGRANTS’ VOICES & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Listening to migrants’ voices and reading the stories of refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants living in South Africa is a crucial part of increasing public awareness, challenging misinformation, and building social cohesion between nationals and non-nationals. Take a few minutes to watch the stories below, graciously shared by one of AMP’s Peer Counsellors and Youth Leaders, as well as to read through the below additional resources.
A story about seeking refuge and a better life.
Report published September 17, 2020
A story about isolation, xenophobia, and the strength of family.
PARTNERS
