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A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa
Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | Eng |
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University of Pretoria
2013
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| _version_ | 1867613545156313088 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Maree, David J.F. |
| author_browse | Maree, David J.F. |
| author_facet | Maree, David J.F. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2013, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/31606 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | Eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:50.718Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publishDateRange | 2013 |
| publishDateSort | 2013 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/31606 A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa Maree, David J.F. werner.breedt@gmail.com Breedt, Werner Social constructionism Xenophobia Posttraumatic growth Identity Zimbabwean refugee Life story UCTD Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. This study explored the social construction of black male Zimbabwean refugees’ identities as they experienced becoming refugees living in South Africa. A review of refugee literature revealed that Zimbabwean refugees demonstrate an exceptional nature that sets them apart from what most definitions of refugees assume. Refugee theory focusing on deficits and disorder promoted a view of refugees as helpless victims. As a result, refugees have come to be viewed as state burdens. Immigration practices characterized by the herding of refugees into spatially segregated areas, deportation and neglect continue to endanger the livelihoods of refugees. The manner in which government and media conceptualise the identity of a refugee has significant consequences for foreigners and locals. It is therefore important to explore the social construction of black male Zimbabwean refugees’ identities by investigating their own experiences through the telling of life stories. A process of in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with four black male Zimbabwean refugees between the ages of 18 and 50, all currently living in South Africa. A self told life story outlined a narrative of their past migration, present circumstances and future deliberations. Results showed that participants bore great suffering in search of a stable existence. They were subjected to political abuse and an immense economic downfall in Zimbabwe, and experienced a great shock of self-confidence upon leaving their home. They came to bear a painful sense of ‘otherness’ living as a foreigner, and had to develop new understandings of themselves. Race and religion became important signifiers of identity, and participants were said to undergo a posttraumatic growth in the aftermath of their turbulent experiences. A study such as this offers valuable insights into the aspects of a Zimbabwean refugee’s existence and needs. Research may also inform bureaucratic practices as to conceptualising more appropriate refugee relations in the future, as well as media campaigns capable of rehabilitating the image of the refugee. Psychology unrestricted 2013-09-10T07:01:54Z 2013 2013-09-10T07:01:54Z 2012 2012 2013-06-26 Dissertation Breedt, W. 2012, A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa, MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31606> C13/9/1051 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31606 Eng © 2013, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | Social constructionism Xenophobia Posttraumatic growth Identity Zimbabwean refugee Life story UCTD A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa |
| title | A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa |
| title_full | A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa |
| title_short | A qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male Zimbabwean refugees currently living in South Africa |
| title_sort | qualitative exploration of the social construction of identity of black male zimbabwean refugees currently living in south africa |
| topic | Social constructionism Xenophobia Posttraumatic growth Identity Zimbabwean refugee Life story UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31606 |