Migrant Remittances, Livelihoods and Investment: Evidence from Tsholotsho District in the Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper traces the developmental contribution of migrant remittances sent from South Africa to the Tsholotsho district of Matabeleland North province of Zimbabwe. Since the discovery of gold in South Africa, Zimbabweans from this region have been migrating to South Africa to seek employment. In recent times, the culture of migration in Tsholotsho continues to strengthen, as women have also joined this previously male dominated livelihood strategy. Debates on migration and development have often centered on the role of remittances as a key instrument for development in migrant sending countries. Governments and multilateral institutions have also taken up remittances as a policy priority with a keen interest. This study was conducted using a mixed methods approach. A total of 159 participants completed self-administered quantitative questionnaires. In addition, 5 in-depth qualitative interviews with key informants were conducted in Tsholotsho, while 10 in-depth interviews with migrants were conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa. The results of this study show that the majority of migrant remittances are largely used for unproductive consumption. However, there also exists a measure of investment owing to the need to satisfy the surging consumer demands within the local economy. In this paper, results have shown that migrant remittances are a key livelihood factor without which many poor people would be severely vulnerable to poverty and hunger.

Migration and Local Development: The Multiplier Effect of Migrant Remittances on Non-recipient Households in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe

“…This shows that people in Tsholotsho are very conscious of the value of migrant remittances in their economy. In addition, they are aware that the continued flow of remittances within the local economy of Tsholotsho stands to benefit everyone (Nzima, Duma and Moyo, 2016a). This awareness is very good because it inspires agency among the Tsholotsho residents.…”

“…Given the above arguments, one could determine that to a reasonable extent, the benefits of migration can be accrued through migrant remittances. These remittances are predominantly used for different socio-economic, cultural and entertainment activities by the remittance-receiving households (Nzima, Duma and Moyo, 2016a). As postulated by the NELM theory, remittances and sometimes the mere potential of remittance inflows, prompt a development dynamic in the local economy (Taylor, 1999;Cassarino, 2004;Nzima, Duma and Moyo, 2016b).…”

The effects of funding withdrawals in fragile systems: a case study in Tsholotsho District Hospital in Zimbabwe

“…Its population, estimated to be 123,423 [2] (SD 32), is considered poor, with 67.4% living below the national poverty line [3] and 26.4% living in extreme poverty [96]. Due to the prevailing political and socioeconomic conditions, much of the young population has migrated either to Bulawayo (SD 35) or across the border to South Africa or Botswana [97]. While the district is endowed with natural resources, it is a region characterised by low rainfall and dry arid land [98].…”

Inequidades sociales e interseccionalidad en salud: retos y alternativas

“…En la literatura sobre migración se ha considerado que las remesas pueden contribuir a la reducción de la pobreza y mejorar la distribución de los ingresos en las localidades receptoras [Fajnzylber et al, 2008]; sin embargo, existe otro conjunto de investigaciones que señala que su impacto sobre la pobreza es limitado debido a que los hogares receptores difícilmente logran invertir ese dinero de forma productiva, pues la mayoría de las veces tiende a gastarse principalmente en el consumo corriente del hogar [Dharmawardhana, De Zoysa y De Silva, 2015;Nzima, Duma y Moyo, 2016], por lo que esos hogares se vuelven dependientes de este ingreso y se deterioran las capacidades productivas locales, perdiéndose así la oportunidad de que las remesas se conviertan en un mecanismo endógeno de dinamismo económico que pueda contribuir con la reducción de la pobreza en las regiones receptoras; además de esto, es necesario considerar que las remesas pueden provocar mayor desigualdad entre los hogares rurales ya que solo algunos de ellos logran beneficiarse de dicho recurso [Salas, 2019].…”