Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Southern Africa encounters an exceptional international human mobility. Several studies
view South Africa as a host country for a large number of immigrants, particularly
migrant youth who come from other African countries. Upon their arrival in South Africa,
studies show that migrant youth encounter a vast number of challenges such as being
excluded from welfare services of South Africa. It is from this background that this study
sought to explore survival strategies that migrant youth in Musina Town employ for their
sustainability. This study presents qualitative findings on the survival strategies
employed by migrant youth in Musina Town, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Ten
migrant youth in Musina Town who are accommodated in shelters managed by
churches were used as a case study and were purposively and conveniently selected to
participate in the study. Data was collected through face to face semi-structured
interviews and analysed thematically through the assistance of the Nvivo software. The
resilience, neoclassical and network theories were used to guide the study. However,
the resilience theory served as the over-arching theory of the study as it is more
relevant and appropriate in explaining how migrant youth bounced back to normality
after the hardships they experienced in South Africa. Findings reveal that bad economic
conditions from countries of origin pushed young people to South Africa for better
livelihoods. However, due to lack of funds, some crossed borders fraudulently for their
survival. Upon their arrival in South Africa, findings further revealed that some migrant
youth engage in criminal acts to make a living. It was also found that some migrant
youth are involved in sex work to make a living. Social networking with their
counterparts, street vending, cheap and exploitative labour were also found to be
strategies employed by migrant youth for their sustainable livelihoods. It is thus
concluded that migrant youth in South Africa are exposed to bad conditions upon their
arrival in the country for their sustainable livelihoods. Findings also reveal various
coping strategies that migrant youth employ to mitigate their exclusion from South
African welfare services. Recommendations which include integrated intervention and
future research are provided in this study
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/3656 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Ramoshaba, Dillo Justin |
| Contributors | Rapholo, S. F. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | viii, 103 leaves |
| Relation |
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