Diversity Management: Sustainable Solution To Xenophobic Attack & Key To Economic Development

BRIGHT SODIENYE PETERSIDE

 

INTRODUCTION:

In the past few days, the media space have been awash with the issue of Xenophobic attack in Republic of South Africa, with news of retaliatory actions by citizens of countries whose citizens were grossly affected by this barbaric action which can be simply summarized as man inhumanity to man. The action by South Africans has been generally condemned globally amidst diplomatic rows between its government and that of the affected African nations.

The intention of this piece is therefore centered on how incidents like this can be sustainably addressed, through the concept of diversity management which on its own yields and promotes economic development in a country.

 

THE MAKING OF XENOPHOBIA.

 

In its ordinary meaning, the world, Xenophobia, a Latin word first used in the year 1877, simply connotes fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign.

 

In the case of South Africa, it became  popular after the majority rules of 1994, contrary to the expectations of many, particularly observers and sympathizers of the hitherto Apartheid ravished nation who owes its socio- political emancipation to the resilient spirit of iconic Nelson Mandela of blessed memory.

 

Between the year 2000 and March 2008, respectively, there were at least, 67 deaths, which resulted from what was identified as Xenophobic attack, this number have doubled as the years go by as, the incident have continued unabated to the point that,  Xenophobia is almost like an alternative nomenclature for the South Africa, the Mandela nation.

 

The climax of this attack seem to be the recent one by South Africans on Nigerians and other African nationals, resident in that country for no clear cut reason to justify the precarious event.

 

Unexpectedly, South African government have not acted remorseful about the incident, same way it has failed woefully to address this monster that unknowingly to them, have the potential to cripple it’s economic relevance in Africa and the world at large.

From the foregoing, it becomes very clear that this is a problem of diversity management by the South African Government and its people. Put subtly, xenophobic attack is a clear failure of the government of South Africa to manage the issue of diversity and sensitize its citizens on its importance and relevance in our world of today with huge undeniable presence of globalization.

 

WHAT IS DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT?

 

Diversity management refers to organizational/governmental actions that aim to promote greater inclusion of employees from different backgrounds into an organization’s structure. Depending on a company’s goals and the industry which it operates in, corporate structure can differ significantly between companies.

The Business Dictionary sees it as the practice of addressing and supporting multiple lifestyles and personal characteristics within a defined group. Management activities includes educating the group and providing support for the acceptance of and respect for various racial, cultural, societal, geographic, economic and political backgrounds.

 

Issues of diversity management have become so imperative in our world of today. Its relevance is unarguable, owning to many factors.

 

First, it is no longer news that the world today is a global village where in through the impactful presence of Information Communication Technology (ICT) which makes it so easy for global interaction at an amazing speed. This very development has also brought to us the reality of economic interdependence of nations of the world since no man is an island.

 

However, despite this interaction, made possible by the globalization, I posit that all though people and nations of the world interact, they are yet to understand one another. This is what I chose to call, Surfaced Global Communication. Diversity Management can therefore solve this very problem, by managing people of different race; background and geography to enable them interact freely with one another. This breeds collaboration and cross fertilization of ideas which creates exceptional results and positive effect in every society.

 

In the face of this, it becomes pertinent for organizations and governments to intentionally work out modalities on how to entrench a harmonies relationship among different species of humanity through diversity management.

 

As an offshoot of human resources management and Corporate Communication, diversity management has become an essential element of the modern cooperation and governmental administration because of the varied demographics of organization members, stakeholders and potential clients.

 

As a concept and aspiration for both management and administration, it has become deeply rooted in the United States federal government, and has received bipartisan support from both political parties, Democrat and Republicans. Ivancevich & Gilbert (2000).

 

A glance around Corporate America environment quickly reveals new and diverse faces and the fact that successful corporate entities cross many cultural and international boundaries in the conduct of their business.

 

Suffice it to say that US is one exemplary nation that have maximized the virtues of effective diversity management. Many of those who have contributed to the greatness of America are non Americans who were well accommodated to give in their best and pursue their potentials without any form of restriction nor aggression.

 

The likes of Albert Einstein, Mark Zukerberg, Thomas Strauss, Rupert Murdock, Myles Munroe, just to mention but a few were first immigrants whose shinning light we’re accommodated, appreciated and then rewarded with certificate of citizenship.

 

Looking at the US economy today, a cursory observer will agree that, it was grown by diverse cultures from around the globe, because they created a platform for humans of different creed to excel and pursue the best of their talent and creative abilities. This certainly has contributed to the economic development of the American States.

 

Economic Development here is seen as the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region or local community is improved. It is often achieved through strategic policy intervention endeavor aiming to improve the well-being of people, economic growth is a phenomenon of market productivity and rise in GDP (Wikipedia).

 

Other developed world such as Canada and Western Europe are not left out in this drive to create an effective diversity management. They intentionally initiate programmes that are aimed encouraging migration or movement into the country, while creating the enabling environment for all to thrive i.e American/Canadian/European Visa Lottery, Study in Australia etc.

 

It therefore becomes very worrisome when a struggling black nation like South Africa begins to assault, intimidate and kill it’s foreigners who surely contribute to its economic indices and progressions through buying and selling. It is indeed a bad omen for a growing economy and must urgently address through the instrumentality of Diversity Management. Among many other factors, people can only invest in a country which they consider safe for both them and their investment and it is such kind of multiple investment that often lead economic development. Note that, there is no economy in the world that was developed solely by the economic efforts of its citizens as primary investors, rather, it has was a coordination of investment by people of different race and culture around the world. So an attack to foreigners in ones national domain is simply shorting the door to investors, be it business, tourism etc. No nation develops economically by its own alone. So, government must therefore understand this honest truth and begin to align with its virtues.

 

RECOMMENDATION/CONCLUSION:

 

The interest of this work lies on the need for government and organization in Africa to begin to take very seriously and considerately the issues of diversity in its society as a means to fostering world Peace and promoting its economic development. Governments in Africa, as well as organizations there in must thus put in place institutionalize laws and policies that will guarantee the safety of ever foreigner residing, or doing business in their country, as well as those who wants to come to such country. These will surely fast-track its desire for economic development.

 

Such policies must be capable of accommodating, value and appreciate the contributions of foreigners in its sovereign territory.

 

Let me further emphatically clarify, that diversity management is equally lawful and acceptable, owing to various International Legislations on Human Right.

 

The African Charter on Human Right (Article 12) clearly captured it thus; under Movement related freedom; Every Individual shall have the right to Freedom of Movement and residence within the borders of a state provided he abides by the Law. This is augmented by the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (1945) which guarantee a fair and free world for all to live to live and enjoy their rights and freedoms.

 

I know many of the African States desire economic development, and Diversity management is a sure way of achieving such goal. With such understanding in place, we may not have such things as Xenophobic attack in South Africa, vice versa.

 

 

Bright Sodienye Peterside – A Journalist, Public Affairs Analyst and Researcher.