The impact of nativist exclusion on the migrant labourers in the South African construction industry

South African society has been beset by an endemic problem of xenophobia since its liberation from apartheid in 1994. During apartheid citizens were over-sensitized about their identities through particularistic political prescription of race and ethnic identities. Black South African were oxymoronically referred to as 'foreign natives', as they were technically from the Bantustans and not bona fide citizens of the country. When racial segregation was dismantled, only those who could demonstrate a family connection with the colonial/apartheid formation of South African could claim citizenship at liberation. The rest and the deluge of immigrants that followed were regarded as opportunistic claimants to hard fought gains of emancipation. The popular prescriptions founded on indigeneity bolstered the hegemony of xenophobic discourse which reached its zenith during the pogrom of 2008. Although there has never been a repeat of a widespread physical torment of these migrants till recently in March/April 2015, there is a general disquiet among foreigners that the nativist exclusion is bordering on the compromise of the extension of basic humans rights. The majority of these migrants find their way into construction sector of the economy. In this climate of non-abating ethnical tensions, the research is investigating the treatment of foreign construction workers on site. Five case studies which were upwards of $40 million each were used in Johannesburg where interviews were conducted with foreign workers, construction managers and few local workers as well, for perspective. It was found that job commitment, tenacity, determination and generally better conditions and pay, compared to home countries which have no credible alternatives results in increased loyalty to the employers. Although all the foreigners were regarded to be disciplined productive workforce, their perception of acceptance differed by their country of origin.