'Land of Opportunity and Despair': Zimbabwean Migrants in Johannesburg

Abstract

The story of Zimbabweans pouring into South Africa in the past thirteen years has been well documented. The cross-border movement by both documented and undocumented persons has been fuelled by the near collapse of socio-economic structures and political polarisation in Zimbabwe which began in the year 2000. Many Zimbabweans have 'escaped' to neighbouring South Africa, which is often seen as a land of opportunities, in search of greener pastures. However, the migrants have faced mixed fortunes upon arrival in Johannesburg; whereas others have 'made it'; the majority of migrants have faced a lot of socio-economic difficulties, due to limited job opportunities. Some of the once respected professionals back in Zimbabwe have found themselves being absorbed in domestic and menial service sector, as 'garden boys' and 'house girls'. Some work as security guards, till operators, office cleaners, vegetable market vendors, taxi touts and the like. These occupations are often shunned by locals and pay very little, and as such, struggles amass each day to provide for one self and also to provide for those back home whose expectations remain very high. This paper focuses on how Zimbabwean migrants perform their everyday chores in order to survive in the city of Johannesburg.

Keywords: Diaspora, Foreigners, Johannesburg, Transporters, Zimbabwean Migrants