In this account of male infidelity and the migrant imaginary, I take on the idea of how it is that moral arguments can be made in support of the claim that male infidelity does not invalidate the assertion of love to one’s partner. In trying to address this issue I undertook an ethnographic study of eight middleclass Zimbabwean men living in Midrand. Using these young Zimbabwean middleclass men as an analytical category, I delve into the imagined lifestyles that they have about life in South Africa and the frustrations that they encounter in trying to realise these standards of living. I use Berlant’s (2006) concept of ‘cruel optimism’ to show how these frustrations in turn lead to a situation in which infidelity is not seen as antithetical to love.

A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree at the African Centre for Migration and Society, Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, February 2017 / In Johannesburg, the Somali migrant community has set up businesses in Mayfair. Mayfair is a suburb situated on the western side of Johannesburg’s original central business district, and has gradually witnessed a process of urban change and transformation outside the regulations of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan. Based on the regulations of the area, 8th Avenue is zoned for residential use. However, at the moment, the area has witnessed radical changes, which have seen people engage in many unplanned activities. Such developments have not gone unnoticed by the City of Johannesburg’s Urban Planning officials, who argue that the area is zoned for residential purposes and laws have to be adhered to before the space is altered from residential to business use. However, the Somali business migrants in the area continue change the residential component of the area, despite the laws against such construction. The research report looks at how Somalis in Mayfair continue to change the 8th Avenue area, despite the City of Johannesburg’s restrictions around the use of space as business. Engaging in this concept of human-non-human interaction, derived from Actor Network Theory (ANT), the research explains how materials and artefacts of the city, in this case, land use regulatory tools, assist in regulating social and spatial conduct, and human activities. In what then follows, the research traces how Somali migrants of Mayfair interact with the City of Johannesburg’s urban management and planning practices through the movement of written materials that challenge urban management and usage. The research also illustrates, using de Certau’s theory on strategies and tactics, how bureaucratic actions (through written documents) divide the city residents as well as city planners to create certain alliances, as well as tactics in the development of Mayfair. The research finally shows, using Lefebvre’s theory of the right to the city, how Somalis migrants take possession of space and use the concept of the right to the city, as urban inhabitants, instead of relying on their right as refugees or asylum seekers. Keywords: Migration, Somalis, Mayfair, City of Johannesburg, Urban space, appropriation, negotiation, written documents / GR2018

Thesis (M.DEV.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The aim of this study is to assess the impact of immigrants on the development of Mankweng community. The units of analysis are the immigrants in Mankweng township and the residents who are affected by the presence of the immigrants. This was a qualitative case study. The researcher used purposive sampling method to select the participants. Two interview guides were used; one for immigrants (guide A) and the other for the residents (guide B). In-depth interviews were conducted with the respondents. The findings revealed that immigrants left their home countries because of factors such as poor economic conditions and political violence. There is evidence to suggest that good governance and a favorable political climate has made South Africa a high ranking receiving country. According to this study, immigrants are blamed for unemployment and crime in Mankweng township. However, the study also shows that immigrants do not wait for jobs to be created for them. They are self employed and hard-working. Immigrants who own businesses hire local residents. The study further suggests that xenophobic attacks on immigrants can be reduced by educating the residents about the creation of jobs. Recommendations from the study include the formulation of more policies that will regulate migration. Evidently existing policies have loopholes as the immigrants find it easy to get into the country. The study also suggests that there is a dire need for the government to fund the acquisition of rare and critical skills such as in the sciences like computer technicians. The study also recommends that the youth must be encouraged to start their own businesses. Co-development systems with the sending countries must be put in place to attract the most skilled immigrants to come. As such, incentives such as housing allowance or immigrants’ allowance should be given to those who are contributing to the economic development to stay longer. Partnership programs must be formed with sending countries to discourage future immigration movements of unskilled immigrants. Lastly, the study recommends that law enforcement at the border gates must be strict, so that illegal immigrants do not enter the country.

With the end of Apartheid, the South African regime completely changed. This had implications for African migration into the country. The migration situation became a concern with the appearance of what has been referred to as xenophobia. But except for some particularities, the case of South Africa is not so very singular. Systemic approaches in the field of International Relations have proved to be an interesting analytical tool, and Rosenau’s ideas provide the opportunity to use those approaches at different levels, applying them to different case of studies. The goal of this thesis is first to build a system of analysis for migration issues, explaining the interactions between the different actors of the system. The system thus created should be able to be applied to many case of migration in different regions of the world. The second chapter seeks to apply this system to the case of South Africa, for a clear understanding of the phenomenon of African migration to that country. It explains the interests, roles and modes of interaction of the different actors such as the state, external actors and migrants. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The actual research focuses on foreign migrants dwelling in the Point area of Durban. This work is aiming at determining whether migration policies negatively impact on foreigners in South Africa; assessing the positive contribution made by foreigners on both the formal and the informal economy of South Africa; and recommending progressive policy and corrective measures of resolving foreign influx in South Africa. The qualitative approach adopted in this study facilitates the examination of the respondents' experiences as migrants in the Point Area. The findings of this study show that fear of foreigners has reached a new level in South Africa and with the transition to democracy; South Africa has become a destination for a number of documented and undocumented immigrants and migrants who, looking for a better life, have found instead, a country in which xenophobia is rife. As a democratic country, South Africa finds its self facing a dilemma: on one hand it promotes democracy, human rights and African integration, on the other; it faces an increase in xenophobia. Within this context, this study evaluates the extent to which the ANC government's im/migration policy and the implementation thereof contribute to xenophobia. Migration systems theory is used to develop a theoretical framework for the analysis. This study also discusses the context of immigration in South Africa on three angles; the international, the regional and the national angle. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Thesis (MA (History))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The processes of assimilation and naturalisation are encountered by immigrants around the world in differing degrees. Every immigrant to a new state, is forced to adapt to their new society in certain ways, in order to be able to function successfully in their new community. This thesis aims to look at these processes as they are managed by organisations within the new society. The Maatskappy vir Europese Immigrasie (MEI) [Company for European Immigration] was one such organisation which operated in South Africa. The MEI was founded in 1949, following on from other organisations which had concerned themselves with immigrant recruitment, assimilation and assistance in general. This thesis posits that the MEI, whilst primarily directed at the assistance in assimilating immigrants, also maintained another socio-political agenda.

Afrikaans text / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die rol van die maatskaplike werk professie in die hantering van slagoffers van xenofobie te verken en te beskryf, ten einde aanbevelings te maak aan maatskaplike werkers. Die deelnemers was praktiserende maatskaplike werkers in die Kaapse Wynland Overberg Distrik wat gesinsorgdienste lewer. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering, tesame met die fenomenologiese, kontekstuele, verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerpe was benut. Data is binne die raamwerk van Tesch se stappe vir kwalitatiewe data-analise geanaliseer. Guba se model vir data verifikasie is benut om die geldigheid van die studie te verseker. Die navorsingsbevindinge het die navorser in staat gestel om aanbevelings aan maatskaplike werkers te maak in terme van die oorsake van xenofobie, die rol van die maatskaplike werk professie rakende dienste aan slagoffers van xenofobie, tipe maatskaplike dienste wat aan slagoffers van xenofobie gelewer moet word en hulpbronne wat benodig word vir effektiewe dienslewering. / The goal of this study is to explore and describe the role of the social work profession regarding interventions aimed at victims of xenophobia in order to make recommendations to social workers. Participants were practicing social workers in the Cape Wineland Overberg District who provided family services. The qualitative research approach, together with the phenomenological, contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs, was implemented. Data was analysed within the framework of Tesch’s steps for qualitative data analysis. Guba’s model for data verification was used to ensure the validity of the data. The research findings assisted the researcher to make recommendations to social workers in terms of the causes of xenophobia, the role of the social work profession regarding services to victims of xenophobia, the type of services that should be rendered to these victims and resources needed for effective service delivery. / Social Work / M.A. (SW)

Thesis (MTech( Tourism and Hospitality Management))-- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / South Africa goes down in the annals of African history as the first nation on the continent to host an edition of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in 2010. The event has been well publicised by the host nation as an “African World Cup”, with a number of economic, socio-cultural and political legacies projected for all of Africa’s citizens. Such a scenario has triggered hope of anticipated benefits in the minds of such citizens. In this light, several studies in relation to mega-events and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, linked to perceptions of the event impact on relevant stakeholders, has mainly targeted local South African communities. Given that the event was designed and planned within the framework of an African affair, and with South Africa’s demographic groups being inclusive of resident African immigrants, the study attempted to determine the perceptions of such immigrants residing in Cape Town with respect to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and its associated African legacy. The study was conducted before the hosting of the World Cup and the assessment was therefore prospective. In all, 450 questionnaires were administered to respondents in different areas in Cape Town by means of the simple convenient sampling method. Of such questionnaires, 406 were deemed usable and therefore formed the sample size for the study. The key findings of the study in terms of demographic profile reveal the average age of respondents to be 30 years, with more men than women participating in the study. Although the study confirms the male domination of football in terms of participation, increased participation by women is noted in the study. Furthermore, the findings also indicate a high level of participation of resident African immigrants in Cape Town during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, as spectators, volunteers and operators of small businesses. Most respondents perceived the event as generating positive economic benefits for South Africa and the African continent as a whole. However, the respondents noted concerns regarding the issues of crime, the disruption of daily lives and the increase in the price of goods and services that could result from the hosting. Findings further revealed that a slight majority of respondents were aware of the projected African legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The study provides the basis for future research into the perceptions of African immigrants in relation to sport mega-events in Africa. The different roles assumed by such immigrants and the initiatives undertaken in preparation for the event warrants a post-event assessment with a view to determine any shift in perceptions and expectations that might pave the way for a comparative analysis to be done.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Business Administration (Entrepreneurship) in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / The primary objective of this study was to analyse the challenges in operating micro-enterprises faced by African foreign entrepreneurs in Cape Town. The rationale behind the study is the fact that foreign entrepreneurs are faced with different challenges in operating micro-enterprises; some of these challenges are detrimental to the enterprises and lead some entrepreneurs to stop doing business. South African entrepreneurs and African foreign entrepreneurs share similar challenges to some extent. However, African foreign entrepreneurs are faced with challenges such as xenophobia and problems obtaining capital from banks, which increases the stressors on these entrepreneurs. The literature review is divided into two sections, namely: Small-, medium- and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) and immigrant entrepreneurship. Convenience sampling (which falls under non-probability sampling) was employed; resulting in sample of 93 respondents. The study used mixed methods, where data were collected by conducting semi-structured personal interviews and from self-administered questionnaires. The study was limited to the Cape Town central business district (CBD) and surrounding suburbs that host a high number of African foreign entrepreneurs, including Bellville, Mowbray, Woodstock, Salt River and Wynberg. The findings show that though xenophobia is not a frequent challenge to African foreign entrepreneurs in Cape Town, it is detrimental to their enterprises. Lack of knowledge of local languages also appears to be a problem, making it difficult for African foreign entrepreneurs to converse with local customers. These immigrant-owned micro-enterprises are also affected by sales fluctuations. Competition is a constraint as there are many businesses of the same nature servicing the same market. Obtaining start-up and growth funding is not easy, especially for micro-enterprises owned by African foreign entrepreneurs, as it is extremely difficult to obtain funding from banks and financial institutions. Hence, these entrepreneurs use their own capital or capital from family and friends. Obtaining a business location is also a challenge; it can take as long as 10 years or more to secure a good business premises. High rent and crime are also obstacles to the enterprises. The recommendations of the study are based on the research objectives aimed at answering the research questions. Recommendations are directed to government departments dealing with African immigrant entrepreneurs and immigrant entrepreneurs themselves.

Saving clubs or stokvels have been around in many parts of the World, under different names, for many years and they have been instrumental in teaching people how to save. This research sets to investigate the possible use of stokvels as vehicles, channels or conduits for wealth accumulation among migrant population living in the inner city of Johannesburg. Participants’ contributions and the extent this translates into wealth accumulation among members were critically examined. Furthermore, the study explored whether gender plays any role in terms of stokvels membership and the reasons thereof. The hypothesis of this research was that incomes from stokvels contribute to wealth accumulation of migrants in the inner city of Johannesburg. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to address the research questions and gather relevant data. The use of a mixed approach was adopted as it allows a deeper exploration of the different research objectives and questions of the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study have revealed that there is a positive relationship between membership to stokvels and wealth accumulation. Moreover, trust and social capital were found to be pivotal in ensuring success of these groups in terms of who should be accepted into the group. However, many other factors, such as the level of education, the length of stay in South Africa and the marital status of participants could have an impact on wealth status of participants.