Doing Business with Xenophobia

Informality and the context of reception in South Africa's new immigrant destinations

“…The highly contingent nature of day labour and its associated low earnings levels contribute to heightened levels of food and housing insecurity for Zimbabwean migrants. This section examines these issues, which constitute two key elements of migrant day labourers' context of reception and the problem of group violence against migrants that appears to be increasing within informal settlements in Tshwane and other urban areas (Crush & Ramachandran, ).…”

“…It has been suggested that competition for housing and economic opportunity among impoverished urban residents has contributed to the outbreaks of xenophobic violence against African immigrants that have occurred in South African cities and, in particular, within dozens of informal settlements located in these cities (Human Sciences Research Council, ). In their examination of the geographies of group violence against migrants, Crush and Ramachandran () identified Mamelodi and Tembisa (the latter being the second most common area of residence for South Africa‐born day labourers in Tshwane) as two sites in which multiple outbreaks of collective violence against immigrant shopkeepers has occurred. Tevera () lists Olievenhoutbosch as a key site of xenophobic violence targeting residents of the Choba informal settlement located within its boundaries, whereas Madienyane () identifies Plastic View as a site of collective violence against foreign nationals.…”

“…Tevera () lists Olievenhoutbosch as a key site of xenophobic violence targeting residents of the Choba informal settlement located within its boundaries, whereas Madienyane () identifies Plastic View as a site of collective violence against foreign nationals. It appears that within these principal areas of residence for immigrant day labourers in Tshwane, as in other areas where collective violence has occurred, a dangerous mix of (a) anti‐immigrant sentiments, centring on the perception that most immigrants are in the country without authorisation; (b) fears that immigrant workers are depressing wage rates and “stealing” jobs; (c) claims that immigrant entrepreneurs are engaging in unfair competition; and (d) reports that foreigners are receiving preferential treatment in local housing markets, has led to reprisals against immigrants (Crush & Ramachandran, ; Human Sciences Research Council, ). Moreover, there are indications that “levels of xenophobia are highest among self‐employed South Africans in the informal economy” (Crush & Ramachandran, : 31), which suggests that complex dynamics are at play within the informally employed labour force.…”

The Socioeconomic Incorporation of Immigrant and Native‐born Day Labourers in Tshwane, South Africa

“…Second, there is evidence that perceptions of direct competition between South African citizens and foreigners for jobs and housing may have been a catalyst of the periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence that have occurred in South African cities (HSRC, ). Research by Crush and Ramachandran () found heightened levels of xenophobia among self‐employed South Africans working in the informal economy. This suggests that if South Africans who are informally employed perceive that foreigners are “stealing” their jobs or driving down wages, immigrants could face dramatically increased risks to their lives and livelihoods from these tensions and the outbreaks of collective violence they seem to have engendered.…”

Informal Entrepreneurship and Cross-Border Trade in Maputo, Mozambique

“…5 In Southern Mozambique, the expressions dumba nengue (trust your feet) and dumba kutsutsuma (run if you can) are used to refer to activities in the informal economy. 6 is terminology clearly re ects the tension that exists between informal traders and law enforcement agents. Compared with other cities in the region, however, Maputo has traditionally adopted a more tolerant approach to the informal economy.…”