Migrant Communities and the Sociopolitical-Psychological Dimension of the Free Zuma Protest in South Africa

Abstract

The July 2021 'Free Zuma Protest in South Africa was triggered by an intricate intersection of sociopolitical factors that transcended the arrest of former President Zuma. Migrant communities, who operate small businesses in South Africa, were vulnerable during the looting and violence that accompanied the protest. In light of this, the paper examines sociopolitical factors that influenced the Free Zuma protests and their psychological effects on the migrant community. The paper employed a qualitative triangulated approach based on desktop literature, news observation, and social media analysis (hashtags, engagement metrics, and content propagation). The paper is underpinned by Gurr’s (1970) deprivation theory, which provides insight into the experiences of migrant communities who occupy a unique position during protests. While they were not the central actor in the protest, migrants, many of whom operate informal businesses and live in the protest zones, were disproportionately impacted by the resulting violence and looting Gurr allows for a deeper understanding of why the protest occurred, how it escalated, and why certain groups, including migrants, experienced disproportionate harm. Findings suggest that while Zuma’s arrest for contempt was the catalyst for the protest, the underlying cause was deeply rooted in systematic inequality, governance failure, and internal factionalism within the African National Congress (ANC). The protest had significant psychological consequences on migrant communities by targeting migrant businesses, livelihood, and increasing xenophobic attacks. The paper suggests proactively incorporating early-warning systems, community cohesion programs, and mental health support and resources into protest and civic policy frameworks. .