The Survival Strategies of Immigrants in Limpopo: A case Study of Mozambican Immigrants in Nkowankowa Township, Tzaneen

Abstract

This study examined the survival strategies of Mozambican immigrants who reside in Tzaneen‟s Nkowankowa Township. This was done under the premise that these immigrants are excluded from participating in South Africa‟s labour market. Thus, the study sought to determine how these supposedly excluded immigrants economically survive in a foreign country. The study argues that these immigrants face both social and economic hostilities in Nkowankowa Township from locals. It also contends that such hatred manifests itself in the form of xenophobic attacks that seem to define the relationship between foreign nationals in Nkowankowa and the locals. It thus proposes an analytical framework for understanding these immigrants‟ survival strategies in the context of their hosts‟ hostilities towards them. It is pertinent that these strategies be revealed, in order to determine how they impact on Nkowankowa Township‟s community socially and economically. This study, therefore, focuses on understanding the Mozambican immigrants‟ survival strategies in Nkowankowa. Using a qualitative methodology, the research provides an in-depth analysis of these immigrants‟ life experiences as voiced by the immigrants themselves. The findings of this research indicated that economic reason is the main push factor for the migration of Mozambicans to South Africa, where they do not have enough protection and social welfare benefits but resort to various survival strategies. It is hoped that the relevant authorities in Mozambique and South Africa that are positioned to address the challenges faced by migrants will find the results of this study useful in their efforts to mitigate the plight of these migrants in the informal sector of South Africa.