The challenges faced and survival strategies adopted by Zimbabwean informal traders that live in Johannesburg inner-city, during the COVID-19- induced lockdown in South Africa

Abstract

Globally, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had unprecedented effects on various aspects of human life. Governments adopted several mitigatory strategies including national lockdown. However, this strategy brought its own challenges. South Africa developed and implemented various interventions, including feeding schemes and financial support through social grants. These interventions served as safety nets for vulnerable communities. However, they exclusively benefitted South African citizens. Hence, migrants living in South Africa remained vulnerable. Their plight was further exacerbated by their reliance on the proceeds from informal economy-related activities, including sewing and street vending, which the government did not classify as essential services. How migrants survived the challenges wrought by lockdown conditions remains unknown. Telephonic, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 15 participants; 13 (n=13) informal Zimbabwean migrant traders and two (n=2) key informants (social workers) from social services organisations operating within the Johannesburg innercity. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show the various
challenges faced by the participants, that is; 1. restrictions to movement, 2. loss of income and 3. failure to send remittances to their families in Zimbabwe. The participants adopted different survival strategies which included; 1. use of fake permits to navigate the city, 2. internal movements and adapting to new conditions, 3. securing social support from friends and relatives, 4. adjustment of their needs, and use of community ties and inhouse counselling. The paper recommends that interventions adopted by the South African
Government and social service organisations to support migrants must recognise and enhance the migrants' strengths and resilience. Furthermore, support services must view migrants as a heterogeneously vulnerable population.

Keywords: migrants, informal trading, COVID-19-induced lockdown, South Africa, vulnerability, Zimbabweans