To the man of God Daniel Kitungwa and Brother Honore Mulumba for their prayers and support. Most refugees do not have sufficient and true information about the process of getting any legal documents for their businesses.
Introduction
Background of the Study
Scholars argue that colonialism introduced ethnic discrimination, exclusion and militarism in the DRC (Algotsson & van Garderen, 2001; Castles, 2000). Ehlers and Pretorius (1998) argue that the occupation of DRC resources by powerful countries caused the war in the DRC that caused mass movements of refugees.
Research Problem
However, very little is known about the challenges they face in running these small, medium and micro enterprises. This study will examine the challenges Congolese refugees face in running small, medium and micro enterprises in Durban.
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Significance of the Study
Research Methodology
Research Design
Research Methodology
- Sampling Strategy
- Data Collection Tools
- Data Analysis
After editing the data to perform transcription and detect errors and omissions, the data was analyzed using content analysis to classify and tabulate the data (Cohen, Manion. & Morrison, 2011).
Definition of Terms
- Illegal Migrants
- Immigrants
- Refugees
- Asylum Seekers
- Refugees in South Africa
- Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs)
- Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneur
- Self-management
- Micro Finances
- Integration
- Social Integration
- Social Network
- Challenge
- Xenophobia
An asylum seeker's permit is a permit under section 22 of the Refugees Act which gives asylum seekers the legal right to stay in South Africa; however, they do not have the right to work or study until their refugee status is determined (Dalton-Greyling, 2008:11). This includes recognition of the role of the ethnic community and the idea that wider social patterns and cultural values can change in response to immigration.
Limitations of the Study
11 These limitations were minimized, first, by including a wide range of respondents, taking into account gender, marital status, family size, different past and present occupations, and individuals from different locations in Durban and different tribes and provinces in the DRC. Second, they were minimized by using interviews with a wide range of themes and qualitative analyses.
Language
Structure of the Thesis
Summary
Introduction
Congolese Refugees in South Africa
Most Congolese refugees in Durban have followed different entry routes than those used by refugees in other South African cities such as Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg. To be specific, Congolese refugees in Cape Town enter South Africa via Namibian refugee camps, while those in Johannesburg enter via the northern part of South Africa (Amisi & Ballard, 2004).
Waves of DRC Refugees in South Africa
Makobola Massacre
1999 began with the massacre of at least 800 people (civilians) by the RCD (Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratie). These critical moments in the DRC caused many people to migrate to South Africa and Durban in particular (Bouillon, 2001).
Legal Recognition of Refugees in South Africa
Those who are already refugees and those who are still seeking asylum face different problems related to language, socio-economic circumstances and social integration.
Challenges Faced by DRC Refugees in South Africa
- Health Care and Services
- Language Problem
- Socio-economic Problems
- Banking Access
For this reason, the country has adopted liberal asylum legislation for refugees and asylum seekers, which includes basic refugee protection, freedom of movement, the right to work and the right to access social services and banking. However, the right to open and hold an account has not been universally respected because many refugees and asylum seekers have been denied such services (University of Cape Town Refugee Rights Unit, n.d.).
Social Integration
Integration
Following the petition in November 2010, agreement was reached between the Financial Intelligence Center (FICA) and DHA, stating that DHA would provide banks with the ability to verify the authenticity of documents brought by refugees. Despite the signing of the agreement, refugees and asylum seekers still report being turned away from banks for the same reasons as before, that the identity documents presented by refugees and asylum seekers are less reliable and less official than the identity documents of African citizens of the South.
Social Integration
Cultural Integration
Xenophobia
Historical and Theoretical Background to Xenophobia in South Africa
With the arrival of immigrants from many countries such as Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana and other sub-countries, South Africa became a target for immigration when the economies of many other African countries declined. -Sahara countries. In the beginning, these foreigners were welcome, and South Africa was even proud to be the land of Ubuntu, the Zulu concept of hospitality to strangers (Onah, 2011).
Xenophobia and Violence in South Africa
Most of the victims of that outbreak of xenophobic violence sought refuge at the police station. The attack on foreigners began in Isipingo days after certain statements by the Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini.
Notion on Business
- Entrepreneurship
- Characteristics of Entrepreneurs
- Management
- Self-management
- Self-employment and Immigrants
An entrepreneur's ability is also to identify, evaluate and seize an opportunity and bring it to success. The history of their families and an entrepreneur's roots help the entrepreneur manage the business.
Starting a Business
- Process to Follow During the Opening of a Small Business in South Africa
- SMMEs in South Africa and Access to Finance
- Microfinance Institutions (MFI)
- Micro Finance Services
Knowing the feasibility of a chosen business is a process that includes evaluating personal and market realities. Restricting access to BEE financial entities has led to challenges for restructuring corporate ownership (Correia et al. 2008). As a result, according to small business researchers SBP (2009), the impact and achievements of government initiatives have been disappointingly short of operations.
Refugees and Small Business in South Africa
Refugees and Finances
Social Networks
Baruti (2006) revealed that social networks play a crucial role in Congolese refugees' lives and are a bypass or a response to the social exclusion they face in Durban. Social networks are essential for survival and in relation to job hunting. Also important are Congolese social networks that provide essential information about migration routes and costs, first stay and information about job opportunities, survival abilities and welfare during their stay in Durban (Amisi & . Ballard, 2004:7).
Summary
36 Ballard Social networks refer to ties and kinship that provide social, economic and political support to facilitate the social development of their members (El-Abed.
Introduction
Foundation of the Theory of Structural Opportunity
To answer these questions, this study will use structural opportunity theory because of its relevance to the objectives of this study as it contains constructs that are appropriate for what the study intends to examine.
Group Characteristics
Predisposition Factors
Marital status is also an element that affects entrepreneurs: single men are more vulnerable and less likely to avoid risky ventures than married men, who have the advantages of flexibility in location and time, and the help and support of their wives, which provides stability teaches management and management. incomes.
Resource Mobilisation
Opportunity Structures
Market Conditions
However, the abandoned market proposition is debatable in South Africa because the presence of one or two large retailers is often found in the inner cities and larger townships, but in many informal settlements and smaller townships the availability of underserved markets remains.
Ownership Access
Ethnic Strategies
In light of this, there are possible strategies that an immigrant entrepreneur can undertake based on two scenarios, the first being that immigrant entrepreneurs use their own resources and take advantage of known opportunities. The second is that entrepreneurs have resources but are not aware of the opportunities available or cannot access those opportunities.
Concept of Creativity and Innovation in Small Businesses
Volery (2007) explains that the interface between the dimensions of opportunity structures and group characteristics gives direction to the strategies that an immigrant entrepreneur must implement to create a viable business in a foreign environment. There are also some elements that can affect the use of the news element, which is called personality. An immigrant female entrepreneur who finds herself – a woman and a foreigner, often two grounds for discrimination and exclusion in society – in the hotly contested and rapidly changing arena of business may choose to demonstrate a sense of innovativeness, be it in the form of product , process or markets, rather than being imitative and reproducing what is readily available.
Application of the Theory of Structural Opportunity
With the opportunity structures of the theory under study, it is possible to discover market conditions represented by advantages and disadvantages. These two points allow the study to reveal all the market advantages and disadvantages that exist for immigrant entrepreneurs (DRC refugees) in selling ethnic or non-ethnic products or services.
Summary
45 The notion of creativity of the theory shows the notion of novelty and innovation and their applications in the investments made.
Introduction
Research Design
Research Methodology
Study Site
48 refining, fishing, automobile assembly, and food, paint, chemical, fertilizer, soap, footwear, and textile manufacturing. The researcher chose to conduct the study in Durban because of her access to Congolese refugees within this setting and the researcher's awareness that this city has the largest number of Congolese refugees in KwaZulu-Natal.
Target Population
Recruitment of Sample
Courage is used to change beliefs in the face of new conflicting evidence even in "convenient" quantitative research rather than random samples. Generalization can lead to controversy (an important characteristic of progress in science) and even facilitate the construction of our metaphors” in the new context; . generalization from one context to another is not automatic, but still remains a necessity); There will always be inconsistencies between the original and the applied context, and this leads precisely to controversies rather than remedies, and thus progress in educational research. (Niaz.
Sample Size
Data Collection
Validity
Credibility
Data Analysis
To analyze the data, coding units were identified and data were categorized according to coding units (Oates, 2006). The data were used to have a general and comprehensible basis of the situation on the researchers' understanding.
Limitation Of The Study
Interpretations were formed based on an iterative process to evaluate the data against the researcher's own experiences and the literature in order to draw conclusions (Klein & Myers, 1999). Transferability describes the process of applying the results of research in one situation to other similar situations.
Ethical Considerations
Summary
Introduction
Research Process
They therefore chose not to participate when they found out that this was not the case in this study. Data related to each question is presented in this chapter, while the analysis of the data is presented in the next chapter.
Demographic Data Presentation of the Participants
Age Characteristics
54 the number of participants was that some of the participants who had the right documents and proof that their company was recognized wanted to be paid to participate in the research because they had heard rumors that universities pay for research. After introducing himself to the participants, the researcher explained the main purpose of the study as well as the issues of confidentiality, anonymity and privacy.
Family Size
Marital Status
Recapitulation of Research Questions
Predisposing Factors
- Description of Business
- Insurance and Success of Investments
- Conception about the Business World Before Arrival in South Africa
- Unknown field
- Work Experiences
- Subjects Studied and Work Experiences and Competencies
- Experiences, Competencies and Family Role Models
- Location Choice for the Business
In this section, the responses of the participants are presented regarding the elements that ensure the success and smooth functioning of their businesses in Durban. In this section, findings will be presented regarding how DRC refugees considered and conceptualized the business world in South Africa prior to their arrival in the country.
Resource Mobilisation
Choosing the immigrant area is a strategic choice for me because I know that potential customers are aware that I belong to their community, which subconsciously leads them to support me by buying my product (FR. This discovery shows that the choice of the chosen location for trading in was an important consideration for the participants' decision to engage in business.
Market Condition
Products for Sale
In this section, the findings show that the majority of DRC refugee business owners in Durban were not assisted by financial departments or associations, but started businesses with their own personal savings and relied on support from family and friends. 63 In this section, the results show that the choice of goods depends on the amount of product that the business owner aims to sell, which is why the majority of participants chose to sell non-ethnic products that would appeal to a wider market.
Classification of Businesses
Others chose to select ethnic and non-ethnic products and services to cater to different groups.
Ownership Access
Process of Accessing Legal Documents
The lengthy processes in Durban influenced me to choose to apply for a legal document from the offices in Pretoria (MR. A green ID is the key to all doors here in South Africa and the red ID we have does not allow us to apply for license or any other document.
Process Duration
Unfortunately, there are also those who have no documents at all and put their businesses at risk when there is a raid, but they continue to do business due to a lack of alternatives. Every time there is a police operation, they will take my goods, but I have no choice but to keep doing it (FR.
Strategies
Availability of Resources
I knew this business was an interesting opportunity to take but the problem of money forced me to work hard and save for more than 2 years as I had no other sources of money (MR. I worked hard for many years because I saw different business opportunities around me and I was able to raise enough money to start my business (FR.
Concept of Creativity
Element of Creativity
The findings show that the use of creativity was an important aspect recognized by business owners, but limited resources allowed them to exercise caution and lead them to use the simplest and cheapest forms of creativity. Findings indicate that participants reported the element of finance as the reason why they did not use any element of creativity.
Summary
Introduction
Demographic Analysis of the Participants
Estimated family size: Most participants had between 4 and 11 people they were responsible for.
Predisposing Factors that Influence Congolese Refugees in Durban City to be
A few participants established their businesses in immigrant areas and only one in a non-immigrant area.
Resource Mobilisation Strategies used by Congolese Refugees in Durban
The Market Conditions that Present Business Opportunities to Congolese Refugees
Ownership Access
In the sample, some business owners applied for legal business documents, but some of them used different ways to obtain the documents, such as applying directly in Pretoria due to the length of the process in Durban. Most of the participants said that obtaining legal and business documents takes from 4 to 10 years.
Ethnic Strategies Congolese Refugees Employ to Position themselves in the
This situation is related to the findings of Hunter and Skinner's (2002) study, where foreigners in Durban, including refugees working in the informal economy, were not recognized as economic operators and had difficulty obtaining legal business documents. Despite being undocumented, the data from the study show that the majority of Congolese refugee owners have a desire to legalize their place in the market they belong to.
The Extent of Creativity and Innovation of Congolese Refugees Engaging in
The combination of events and physical elements by improving equipment, as suggested by Freedman (2004), is used by the majority of Congolese business owners who operate internet cafes as well as designers because there are regular advances in technology that lead to the creation of new products. However, the element of lack of financial resources presents barriers to the total use of the innovative elements they have planned.
Summary
So in order to compete in the market and to resist conformity, the business owners do apply new processes and implement new equipment. Among those business owners who have applied the element of novelty, the majority recognize the benefit of applying it, while others have seen no change.
Introduction
Predisposition Factors
74 improvement of the materials they may use and for a few of them the use of marketing elements. The study also found that the characteristics of loyalty, followed by a strong belief that they are useful in business, are the most important points that make refugees believe in the success of the business, enabling them to fit into the market.
Resource Mobilisation
The results of the study show that the influence of surrounding people and refugee lifestyle actually exists in the DRC refugee community, which encourages refugees to open their own businesses. For most refugees, the primary reason they open businesses is the need for more income to support themselves and their families.
Market Condition
75 cultural and social factors which occupy a central position in the explanation of growth in ethnic enterprises”. The study shows that the choice of ethnic products requires a careful selection of products in order to sell more and gain more loyal customers.
Ownership Access
This is in agreement with Ogenyie et al. 2004) who suggested that retailers should focus on issues related to the culture and traditions of ethnic minorities and should also consider that what they buy depends on their religious, cultural and socio-economic background.
Extension of Creativity and Innovation
Recommendations
Government entities responsible for the legal recognition of businesses should help refugees learn about their rights regarding the complete prohibition of self-employment within the meaning of the Constitution or applicable legislation. Refugees are unable to access credit or credit and still have difficulty opening bank accounts due to their insufficient identity papers.
Recommendations for Future Research
The Congolese refugee community needs to find ways to inform its members about their rights and obligations as refugees in South Africa in order to prevent such attitudes. The Congolese refugee community must try to establish an organization like the Somali or Ethiopian communities that can help all members who need help in representing their plight.
Notion of Transferability
Summary
Motivations for migration and the nature of the economic contribution of Congolese migrants to South Africa. Transnationalism and non-South African entrepreneurs in the South African small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) economy.
