Integration, exclusion, or something in between? A study of Zimbabwean migrants in Gugulethu, Cape Town
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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
According to migrant research in South Africa, after the advent of democracy in South
Africa, in 1994, the country has received an influx of foreign migrants, more especially from
the African continent. However, much focus has been on the negative outcomes of the host
community and its relationship with immigrants. Recent immigration research labelled South
Africa as a xenophobic nation, and much emphasis on xenophobia was in Black South
African townships. Although townships in South Africa are widely known for their hostile
attitudes towards African nationals, in recent years, townships like Gugulethu have become
homes for many African immigrants. This study investigates the integration of foreign
migrants into the South African community: a case of Zimbabweans living in Gugulethu,
Cape Town. Qualitative research methods' adopting an in-depth interpretation of the findings
was used to answer the research question posed by this study. The research question posed by
this study is, in the absence of a strategic plan to integrate African foreign nationals into
South Africa society, how do African migrants living in Gugulethu use their social capital to
integrate themselves into the local community, which is widely regarded as xenophobic?
Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations and data was
analysed according to the research questions by making codes and themes. In addition, the
number of study participants was 30 people; 25 Zimbabwean immigrants and for comparative
purposes 2 Ugandan immigrants and 3 local South Africans were also included. Both
convenience and snowballing sampling techniques were used. The study found that despite
the challenges faced by migrants in their host community, these migrants used their social
capital in the form of social networks to integrate themselves into the host community.
Description
Magister Artium - MA (Anthropology/Sociology)