Afrophobic Disorder in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Straddling between "Ubuntu" and the "You-Bunt-Us" Divide

Abstract Notable questions such as why Afrophobic disorder persists in post-apartheid South Africa despite its democratic foundations, and how this contradicts the ethos of Ubuntu and African solidarity, remain central to understanding contemporary socio-political tensions within the country. While the democratic transition of 1994 under the leadership of Nelson Mandela was a clear symbol of reconciliation and continental unity, the recurrent incidences of violence towards African immigrants from nations such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe show the existence of structural inequities, identity insecurity and economic frustrations. This study defines Afrophobic disorder as a social and political ideology based on postcolonial history and in-group versus out-group relations. Using Social Identity Theory and Postcolonial Theory, the study uses a qualitative approach through secondary materials which include literature review, media and policy reports. Analysis of thematic patterns as well as discourse analysis were used to explore the experiences of exclusion, violence and political ideologies of African immigrants. It emerges from the findings that the phenomenon of Afrophobia is not episodic but rather structural, appearing both during violent incidences and normal incidences of exclusion leading to the concept of "You-Bunt-Us.” The study concludes that there are established evidence of clashes between Ubuntu and the exclusionary logic of " You-bunt-Us" portraying an unresolved crisis of African solidarity in the postcolony and this calls for a rethinking of belonging and inclusive citizenship.