When networks become lifelines: a migrant household in Johannesburg In 2024, a family of Mozambican migrants living in a township near Johannesburg spoke with researchers about their weekly food situation. They reported surviving on “what the group can afford together.” Neither parent had stable employment. Instead, they pooled income and shared staples bought in bulk […]
Climate, Displacement and Hunger: Why Migrants in South Africa Are on the Frontline In 2023, a household survey in Gauteng found that migrant households in the region had markedly higher risk of food insecurity than native-born households — even after controlling for employment, household size, and other socioeconomic factors. Wiley Online LibraryAt the same time,
Are Migrants in South Africa Being Reached by Food Assistance? In 2021, at a food-parcel distribution event in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, around 400 immigrants — many registered to receive aid from the provincial government — were turned away, even though the distribution truck still had food. It left full. Meanwhile, dozens of South African families were
Long-Term Health Implications of Dietary Acculturation for Second-Generation African Migrants in South Africa Introduction: Migration and Metabolic Risk Consider a hypothetical child, born in Johannesburg to parents who migrated from rural Limpopo. At home, the family still eats traditional meals such as maize porridge (pap), leafy greens, and pulses. Outside the home, at school and
Gender and Food Security in African Migrant Households in South Africa Introduction Food insecurity among African migrant households in South Africa is a pressing concern. Over 30% of migrant-headed households have limited access to nutritious food (Statistics SA, 2023). Gender roles shape food access, preparation, and nutrition. Women often manage meals, while men control finances,
Xenophobia and Migrant Food Vendors in South Africa In a dusty corner of inner‑city Johannesburg, 34‑year-old “Amina” (pseudonym), a Zimbabwean national, set up a small open‑air stall selling maize meal and fresh produce. On many days, she brought affordable staples to working‑class households who lacked access to supermarkets. But on 1 September 2019 — during
Barriers to Healthcare Access for Diet‑Related Non‑Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Among Undocumented African Migrants in South Africa Introduction: A Hidden Burden in Plain Sight “ I worry when my chest feels tight and I cannot eat; but I dare not go to the clinic. I might be turned away.” — interview with an undocumented migrant in
Migrant Food Networks, Cultural Identity, and Food Sovereignty in South Africa Migration is more than moving across borders. It involves carrying homes, memories, and survival strategies. For many African migrants living in South Africa—especially in major urban hubs like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and other cities—food becomes a lifeline. Through transnational food networks, migrants maintain ties
Migration Status and Nutritional Transition Among African Migrants in Urban South Africa From Rural Roots to Urban Plates When 28‑year-old “Maria” (pseudonym) moved from a rural Limpopo village to Johannesburg in 2019, she sought better economic opportunities. Instead, she encountered a food environment dominated by convenience and cost pressures. Fresh leafy greens and staples she
Food Insecurity Among African Migrants vs. Host Communities in South Africa Opening: Hunger in the City — Migrants and Host Communities In 2023, a striking statistic emerged: approximately 63.5 % of South African households — over 12 million households — were classified as food insecure. Institute of Development Studies+2South African Human Rights Commission+2This number reflects a
