When Economic Inequality Drives Migration In early 2023, a 28-year-old woman from Mzimba, northern Malawi, made the long journey to Johannesburg. She explained, “We had problems with food. We didn’t have enough to feed the whole family.” Her story, documented by the MiFOOD Network, reflects the difficult reality of many Malawians driven by food insecurity […]
Policy Solutions which Reduce Xenophobic Violence By: A seasoned health policy researcher and public-health expert with 15+ years working on migration health and African health systems. Opening: a human cost and a stark statistic On a frigid night in April 2015, Emmanuel (name changed) — a Mozambican informal trader in Johannesburg — was beaten and
Addressing Zimbabwean Economic Migration to South Africa Survival Across Borders In July 2024, border officials recorded 32,309 movements along the Zimbabwe-South Africa corridor—92% of all migration across Zimbabwe’s official borders. Behind these figures are stories like Tendai*, a 34-year-old nurse from Harare. Twice monthly, she risks arrest crossing the Limpopo River to work informal shifts
Colonial Labour Recruitment and Its Enduring Impact on South African Migration and Health Introduction: Colonial Foundations of Migration Routes Colonial-era labour recruitment systems laid the groundwork for enduring migration patterns to South Africa. Institutions like the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (WNLA) orchestrated the movement of workers from regions such as Lesotho, Mozambique, and Botswana to
Remittances: A Vital Lifeline In southern Africa, remittances—money sent home by migrants—play a critical role in household survival. Zimbabwe received over US$1 billion in remittances in 2020, representing more than 10% of GDP, rising to 11.7% in 2023 (Trading Economics). These flows help families cover food, school fees, and healthcare. Yet, remittances often fail to
A Health Systems Perspective When Numbers Tell Human Stories Mariam arrived in Johannesburg from Zimbabwe in 2021. She was seven months pregnant. At the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, she waited six hours before healthcare workers asked for her documentation. They spoke in isiZulu and seTswana—languages she didn’t understand. Eventually, staff members told her
How Post-Apartheid SADC Migration Transforms South African Cities Read More »
Digital Remittances as Healthcare Lifelines: How Financial Technology Shapes Migrant Health Access in South Africa The Hidden Connection Between Money Transfers and Survival Johannesburg, 2024—Grace, a 34-year-old Zimbabwean domestic worker, clutches her phone outside Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. She’s eight months pregnant. The clinic nurse told her she needs R3,500 for delivery fees.
From Mines to Migration: Gold, Diamonds, and South Africa’s Legacy Introduction: Gold, Diamonds, and Migration The 19th-century discoveries of diamonds in Kimberley (1867) and gold in the Witwatersrand (1886) transformed South Africa. These discoveries created a global mining hub. They also triggered mass migration, particularly from neighboring countries like Lesotho, Mozambique, and Eswatini. By 2020,
Skills African Migrants Bring to South Africa’s Labour Market Introduction: A Vital Workforce in a Challenging Context South Africa hosts one of the largest African migrant populations on the continent. Over 4 million foreign-born residents live here, mainly from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Moreover, migrants face systemic barriers. These include restrictive
What Skills and Expertise Do African Migrants Bring to South Africa’s Labour Market? Read More »
South Africa’s Remittance Costs vs. Other African Countries Introduction Nomsa, a 29-year-old domestic worker from Malawi in Pretoria, sends ZAR 700 (~US$37) monthly to support her children. She pays ZAR 70 (~10%) in fees, reducing the funds available for essential needs. Across Southern Africa, millions of migrants face similar costs. Q1 2025 data show sending USD 200 from South
How Do Remittance Costs from South Africa Compare to Other African Host Countries? Read More »
