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 […]
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,
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
Chronic Disease Care for Migrants in Pretoria: Diabetes and Hypertension Access Opening: Why This Matters — A Case Study In a small flat in Pretoria North, “Amina” (not her real name), a 49‑year-old woman from Zimbabwe, checks her blood pressure. She has lived in Tshwane for over 8 years, working informal jobs and supporting two
Informal Food Markets and Migrant Survival in South African Cities Introduction: A Daily Struggle Hidden in Plain Sight At 5 a.m. on a cold winter morning in Johannesburg’s inner city, Amina*, a 29-year-old Somali mother, arranges vegetables at her small pavement stall. She arrived in South Africa six years ago, hoping for stability. Yet rising
Zimbabwean Migrants in Johannesburg: From Traditional Diets to Urban Foods Nutritional Transitions Among Introduction: A Changing Food Landscape In Johannesburg’s dense urban neighbourhoods—Hillbrow, Berea, Rosettenville, Yeoville—Zimbabwean migrants face rapid shifts in their diets. A 2023 Johannesburg Migrant Food Security Study found that 62% of Zimbabwean migrants reported significant dietary changes within their first year in
TB and Migration: Is South Africa’s Health System Ready Opening: Snapshot & Case Study In 2023, South Africa recorded roughly 270,000 new tuberculosis (TB) cases and an estimated 56,000 deaths. (tbac.org.za) Although the country reduced TB incidence by 51% since 2015, the burden remains high. South Africa also hosts a large migrant population. The 2022
Are South African Cities Ready for Climate-Induced Migration? Lessons for Johannesburg and Cape Town from Global Climate-Mobility Strategies Opening: Floods, droughts, and urban pressures In June 2025, heavy floods in the Eastern Cape displaced hundreds of families. Extreme weather events like this are not isolated. Climate change is already driving internal migration across South Africa.
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
The Role of African Migration in South Africa’s Economic Growth: A Decade in Review Introduction: Migration as an Economic Catalyst Over the past decade, African migration has significantly influenced South Africa’s economy. From 1996 to 2022, the immigrant population increased from 2.1% to 3.9% of the total population, reaching approximately 2.4 million individuals. Statistics South
