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Zimbabwean Migrant Entrepreneurs in Kempton Park and Tembisa, Johannesburg: Challenges and Opportunities

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  • Chipo Hungwe

    (Department of Human Resource Management, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

The study explores the lives of seventeen Zimbabwean entrepreneurs studied in Tembisa and Kempton Park, Johannesburg in 2012. It analyses the structure of opportunity available to these entrepreneurs and argues that although migrants can create employment, they do not necessarily benefit the local populations because their businesses are too small and also because of their reluctance to employ locals whom they consider lazy and troublesome. Zimbabweans originally migrated to South Africa in search of good salaried jobs rather than self-employment. Self-employment is largely a result of dissatisfaction with the conditions of employment, inability to get desired jobs and having a better command of human and social capital. These migrants have a short history in self-employment and are the first to establish such economic ventures in their families. Their businesses thrive because of hardwork, engaging in activities that they are familiar with (thus they do not venture into complicated, unfamiliar territory) and relying on the neighbourhood which serves as a market. All the entrepreneurs studied view South Africa as a land of opportunities where one can establish himself/herself and survive, although the environment is riddled with xenophobia. However, most can be classified as survival entrepreneurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Chipo Hungwe, 2014. "Zimbabwean Migrant Entrepreneurs in Kempton Park and Tembisa, Johannesburg: Challenges and Opportunities," Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(03), pages 349-373.
  • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jecxxx:v:22:y:2014:i:03:n:s0218495814500150
    DOI: 10.1142/S0218495814500150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Loren B. Landau & Aurelia Wa Kabwe-Segatti, 2009. "Human Development Impacts of Migration: South Africa Case Study," Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) HDRP-2009-05, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), revised Apr 2009.
    2. David G. Blanchflower, 2004. "Self-Employment: More may not be better," NBER Working Papers 10286, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Constant, Amelie F. & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2004. "Self-Employment Dynamics Across the Business Cycle: Migrants Versus Natives," IZA Discussion Papers 1386, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Landau, Loren B. & Segatti, Aurelia Wa Kabwe, 2009. "Human Development Impacts of Migration: South Africa Case Study," MPRA Paper 19182, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Zimmermann, Klaus F. & Constant, Amelie, 2004. "Self-Employment Dynamics Across the Business Cycle: Migrants vs Natives," CEPR Discussion Papers 4754, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
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