The findings of this research suggest that most Ethiopian immigrants in South Africa are involved in the dysfunctional economic sector. The fm1her study explains some of the challenges Ethiopian migrants face during their travel and stay in South Africa.
Background Statement
International migration in sub-Saharan Africa is often overlooked because of the close cultural ties of "homogeneous people on opposite sides of national borders" (Adepoju, 2006a:26). However, the existing high unemployment in urban areas limits the opportunities of migrants.
Statement of the Problem
Considering the above situations, this study was therefore conducted to explore the social and economic experiences of Ethiopian immigrants in the Durban metropolitan area. The interaction of Ethiopian immigrants with the local community and various government agencies is also explored.
Rationale of the Study
The research sought to understand the migration history of Ethiopian immigrants, their travel routes, modes of entry and migration in Durban. Therefore, a deeper insight into the costs of non-SADC immigrants, especially Ethiopian immigrants, was necessary to understand and explain current migration trends.
Objectives of the Study
Also, since the researcher is from Ethiopia, the research on immigrants from similar place of origin helped to get the necessary information. They are afraid that they may be counter-attacked by society and the authorities for what they say (Ibid).
Limitations of the Study
As indicated by Gema (200 I), conducting a research on Ethiopian immigrants is a challenging undertaking because they feel insecure due to their status.
Theoretical Approaches of Migration
However, some components of human investment theory (such as psychological costs) are difficult to measure and therefore less practical and empirical tests have been limited to income differentials (Kebede, 1998). This means that the immigrant population in South Africa constitutes about 2.2 percent of the total population (Landau, 2005). Only a quarter of respondents indicated that the situation in South Africa is worse than in their own country.
South Africa remained isolated from the rest of the world before the apartheid era. As shown in the previolls sections, social networking IS the backbone of the economic success of Ethiopian immigrants. I think this is why most of the time Ethiopian expats choose to work in locations rather than cities (Sintayehu).
This is a very good indicator of the level of threat that immigrants experienced in the country. All respondents in this study indicated that their economic situation in South Africa was significantly better than in Ethiopia.
Theoretical Framework of the Research
Organization of the Dissertation
It then describes the current trend of migration from non-SADC countries and explains the need to conduct this research. It discusses the profile of migrants, the factors that influenced their decision to migrate, their travel routes and modes of entry into South Africa, the economic life of Ethiopian immigrants.
Introduction
Ca uses of Migration
The political situation and conflicts in the country of origin are other causes for migration. Political upheavals, uncertainty and conflicts between different ethnic, racial or political groups can fuel migration (De Blij, 1993).
Experiences of Immigrants: G lobal Perspective
The majority of incidents occurred in the eastern parts of the country and among the young population. Currently, 87 percent of the population is Lutheran, while followers of other religions, including Islam, make up only 13 percent (CIA, 2007).
Positive Experiences and Contribution of Immigrants
A poll of economists found that 81 percent of economists believe immigration contributes "very favorably" to the economy. The arrival of more immigrants from the Third World and Latin America does not adversely affect the well-being of the lower-ranking black population.
The South African Perspective
- Size ofthe Immigrant Population in South Africa
- Immigrants in the Economic Sector
- Xenophobia
- Immigrants, Media and the Authority in South Africa
A census conducted by HSRC in 2001 showed that only four percent of the total number. A number of incidents have been recorded to support the findings of Shindondola's (2003) research. The media also plays a crucial role in portraying a negative image of immigrants in the minds of the host community (Danso et al., 2000).
The majority of the South African population is black - making up about 79 percent of the total population.
Sampling
On the other hand, the researcher being Ethiopian could have left some room for subjectivity. The researcher located their gathering and residence places based on his previous contact with the Ethiopian community. The informal discussions and literature review also helped the researcher revise the interview guide.
The number of female Ethiopian immigrants found in Durban is very few, so the respondents were only able to recommend several male immigrants.
Field Work
Analysis
Some respondents indicated that they have been working in the same jobs since they first came to South Africa, but most of them switched to other jobs because they earned more money. Another reason for switching is the nature of the job and the risk associated with the job. So I had a very good relationship with the people in the locations, especially the mothers (Tekleab).
Most Ethiopian immigrants in Durban are engaged in microeconomic activities such as door-to-door selling in urban areas. Another challenge is the inability of Ethiopian immigrants to secure employment in the formal sector due to their status as asylum seekers. The exceptions to the segregated lives of Ethiopian immigrants are those who work in urban municipalities.
This is consistent with the assumptions in power theory that locals treat immigrants poorly because of the perceived threat (Wimmer, 1997). Ethiopian immigrants in South Africa are more or less satisfied with their lives in the country.
Challenges in the Field 'Vork
Introduction
On the other hand, the social environment of the richest countries in the Middle East is built on Islam. As explained in the previous section, social networks help Ethiopian immigrants in exploring business opportunities and starting their own businesses. As discussed in the first part of this chapter, most respondents reported that they entered South Africa without being documented as legal immigrants at the border.
The basic platform for decision-making and migration implementation in the case of Ethiopian migrants is the social networks between Ethiopians in South Africa and back in Ethiopia.
Background and M.igration History of Immigrants
Migrants Profile
A total of 15 Ethiopian immigrants were interviewed for the study; of which 11 men and 4 women. Information on respondents' length of stay in South Africa shows that the longest stay is six years, while the shortest is one and a half years. Mihret Female 25 Completed high school 2 years and 6 months Firehiwol Female 25 Completed high school 2 years Tekleab Male 30 Completed high school 4 years and 6.
According to the respondents, political migration is a more reliable justification for being accepted as an asylum seeker or refugee.
Decision Making
But when you think about the places outside your country, you think that it is always better to go abroad than to stay in your own country. While more than half of respondents identified the poor economic situation in Ethiopia as one of the main factors motivating their decision to migrate, others indicated several other reasons that compelled them to migrate. Due to the lack of sufficient tertiary educational institutions and their small absorption capacity, some Ethiopian immigrants have fled to South Africa to pursue their academic interests.
As will be explained in the following sections, many of the Ethiopian immigrants entered South Africa through borders using trucks and buses as the primary mode of transport and are unable to use this mode of transport to enter the United States of America. .
Social Networks
I even went to Jeddah only to return to Ethiopian 011 on the second day because I was caught by the police. I came to Durban 10 to work in the restaurant business because I heard that this business is booming. When you come here without someone to introduce you to employers, it's not easy (Tizita).
Travel Routes and Modes of Entry
Ethiopian migrants cross the borders of each of the countries between Ethiopia and South Africa by road transport and on foot. A number of respondents reported that they, along with their friends, came to South Africa through the multi-country border between Ethiopia and South Africa. Another interviewee explained that she mostly used road transport to get to South Africa.
As described by the aforementioned respondent (Yared), some of them sneaked into South Africa when they came to Botswana as transit passengers.
Economic Benefits and challenges of Ethiopian Immigrants
The interviews reveal that most of the immigrants in the survey earn much more than they used to earn in Ethiopia and as a result are able to support their families back home. One respondent reported that they sell items on credit in municipalities and that it takes up to three months to collect the full amount of money. In addition to the lack of support from international organizations, they do not have access to financial services in the country.
They hide their money in obscure places like inside the spare tires or in the roof of the car.
Another Ethiopian immigrant explains the advantage of speaking local languages while working on locations. Ethiopians generally have a good impression of rural people and women. In general, I had a much better relationship with the locals when I worked on the sites than I do now (Tekleab).
It is especially dangerous because 1110. people do not know their rights and duties in the context of South Africa (Tekleab).
C rime
It is from this department that they obtain their legal status during their stay in South Africa. Ethiopian immigrants in South Africa express mixed emotions when asked about their lives in South Africa. Most expatriates reported that they are better off economically in South Africa than in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian immigrants face many problems and spend considerable amounts of money in the hope of getting better opportunities in South Africa. Not being able to speak any of the languages spoken in South Africa has a negative impact on the businesses they run. Most of them reported that they did not intend to stay in South Africa for long.
Quality o f L ife and Future Plalls
