- Title
- An exploration of myth in the adaptation processes of Zimbabwean migrants residing in Port Elizabeth
- Creator
- Kritzinger, Barbara
- Subject
- Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe
- Subject
- Migrant labor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Subject
- Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Subject
- Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa
- Subject
- Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Date Issued
- 2010
- Date
- 2010
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MA
- Identifier
- vital:16136
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1430
- Identifier
- Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe
- Identifier
- Migrant labor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Identifier
- Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Identifier
- Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa
- Identifier
- Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Description
- Migration is recognised as an escalating phenomenon of human behaviour worldwide. In the Southern African region African migrations and migrants have remained a focal point of discussion amongst politicians, citizens and migrants themselves in recent years. In South Africa, a major destination of migrants from various African Diasporas, this renewed interest in the topic has occurred in the context of xenophobic related violence aimed at foreigners within the broader economic, political and social arena. These factors extend to South Africa’s relationships with her near neighbours. Thus, Zimbabwe’s political, economic and social crisis has overflowed into South African borders, contributing large numbers of migrants to her population. Previous research has underrepresented the perspectives of migrants and Zimbabwean migrants in particular. Zimbabwean migrants seek economic opportunities to better themselves and maintain the survival of their families who remain in their country of origin. They are transnationals who engage in continuous movement between one place and the next, supporting various livelihoods. Little is understood about migrant adaptation to their complex contexts. In this research project, content analysis was conducted of data gathered during interviews and participant-observation of Zimbabwean migrant traders on the beachfront informal market in Port Elizabeth. The maintenance of the cultural values and identity of the myth of the hero as upholder of household honour was found to be significant in the adaptation of migrants to their multi-faceted lives. The findings indicate that migrant life is indeed uncertain and ever-changing. Their resilience in the face of continual change illustrated both conflict and compromise between “social cohesiveness (and) social flexibility” (Bauman, 1998: 15-16)
- Format
- x, 167 leaves ; 31 cm
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Arts
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
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NMMU School of Governmental and Social Sciences
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