When Chronic Illness Meets Barriers: Migrants Struggling to Access Medication in South Africa A human story, and why it matters In early 2025, a 34‑year-old Zimbabwean woman — we’ll call her “Amina” — living in Johannesburg was diagnosed with hypertension. After losing her job, she could no longer afford private care. At her local public […]
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
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
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 »
Understanding the Challenges African Migrants Face When Sending Remittances from South Africa Introduction: The Significance of Remittances Remittances are a lifeline for millions of African families. They contribute to poverty reduction, education, and healthcare. In 2024, remittance inflows to Africa reached approximately US$95 billion, a 10% increase from the previous year (ISS Africa, 2025). South
Deportation Policies in South Africa: Implications for Migrant Workers and Their Families Introduction: The Human Cost of Deportation Policies Between November 2023 and early 2024, South Africa witnessed a troubling trend. Police unlawfully arrested asylum seekers at Refugee Reception Offices across the country. Many of these individuals faced detention and deportation without full access to
Municipal By-Law Enforcement as a Xenophobic Tool Introduction: The Silent Crisis of Informal Traders In South Africa, informal traders—especially migrant-run spaza shops and street vendors—play a crucial role in township economies. These small enterprises provide affordable goods and services to underserved communities. However, municipal by-laws intended to regulate informal trade often become instruments of exclusion,
From Spaza Shops to Street Vendors: Municipal By-Law Enforcement as Xenophobic Tool Read More »
African Migration and Urbanization in Johannesburg: Policy, Health, and Social Implications Introduction: Migration and the Changing Face of Johannesburg Johannesburg is South Africa’s economic powerhouse. It has become one of the most prominent migrant-receiving cities in Africa. In 2022, South Africa hosted over 4 million international migrants. Johannesburg absorbed the largest proportion (UN DESA, 2022).
What is the connection between African migration and urbanization in Johannesburg? Read More »
