To my sisters Vanessa and Desigree, thank you for the sacrifices you have made so I can pursue my dreams. To my amazing supervisor, Kathryn Pillay, thank you for being a caring, understanding and brilliant mentor.
Background
The significant increase in the number of Chinese traders and so-called 'Chinese shops'1 in and around the city of Durban since 1994 provided the impetus for this research. The research conducted in most of these articles is mainly based on the Chinese traders who live in the rural areas of the Free State and own 'Chinese shops' in these areas.
Objectives of study
In examining how the Chinese adapt socially, it is also important to examine the micro-level interactions5 between Chinese retailers and others that take place within these companies' trading zones. This study focuses on the actual face-to-face relationships that take place between Chinese people, local residents and foreigners within and around Chinese stores.
Structure of dissertation
Five main themes emerged that shed light on the socio-economic aspects of the lives of Chinese migrant traders in South Africa. Interaction with local customers and workers; opportunities and challenges; This chapter analyzes and discusses how they adapt to life in South Africa and the future of Chinese migrants in South Africa.
Conclusion
The sixth chapter, the conclusion, means the conclusion of this dissertation with a comprehensive summary of the steps taken in this research, with an emphasis on the results obtained.
Introduction
Brief history of China and its relationship with Africa
China's alliance with the Soviet Union and its conflicts with the US had a major influence on Chinese foreign policy (Taylor, see also Hutchison, 1975). The period 1960–1965 marked the beginning of China's successful diplomatic relations with Africa, but at the same time relations with the Soviet Union deteriorated.
South Africa‟s political relationship with China
With the growing Chinese economy and its influence internationally, relations with the People's Republic of China could have been beneficial to South Africa. The two main areas of interest were political and economic cooperation between South Africa and China.
South Africa‟s economic relationship with China
23 investment in the South African manufacturing industry so that products could be produced from South African raw material. Since South Africa imports more value-added products than it exports, this results in a trade imbalance between the two countries.
A brief history of Chinese in South Africa
Between 1949 and 1953, the Chinese moving to South Africa consisted mainly of new brides. Those migrants who arrived in South Africa before 2000 began arriving in the late 1980s until the period leading up to South Africa's recognition of the PRC in 1998.
Recent Chinese migrants to South Africa
The population of Chinese migrants entering South Africa has exceeded the combined number of Chinese and Taiwanese born in South Africa and has increased over the past five to seven years (Park and Chen, 2009:28). Park and Chen (2009) also report that these migrants have family and friends in neighboring cities or across South Africa.
Conclusion
In the case of larger 'black' shops, staff from South Africa are hired to help. This shows that with the help of relatives or contacts from their home country residing in South Africa, Chinese people can set up their business in these rural areas and thus contribute to the increase in the number of businesses.
Introduction
Symbolic interactionism and language
Our knowledge of the world and our social reality is thus constructed through people's everyday interactions through the language they use. The people within a given society are able to produce and reproduce certain concepts and categories that help them explain and give meaning to the world in which they live. People live within a certain historical period and are surrounded by certain cultures that inform society. way they learn to understand the world.
The self in social interaction
Self, identity and culture
They are able to gain meaning through these social interactions and they act according to that perceived meaning. Therefore, the self is not a stable entity, the self is capable of change in relation to how we interpret others. 37 interaction with others; by interpreting the actions and verbal reactions of others towards us, we can gain a sense of self.
Joint action and structure
Collective action is produced when individuals are able to align their actions in accordance with the actions of others. Since individuals have correctly interpreted what actions to take, they are able to produce these actions in habitual behavior. This means that active agents are able to create and reproduce structures (such as the economic and political systems) through social practices.
Conclusion
41 structure but face-to-face interaction should be seen as unique encounters between individuals. Since social events, situations, and interactions are experienced directly or face-to-face, it is consciously experienced. The dialectical process between collective micro-action and social structure, as well as micro-level social interaction, must be taken into account to understand how individuals conduct their lives.
Introduction
Summary of research questions
It requires an understanding of issues from their perspective and from a context in which they live and experience the world (Hennink et al, 2011). Hesse-Biber and Leavy (2011) as well as Corbin and Strauss (2008) point out that qualitative research looks at the internal experience of participants and how they form social meaning in the cultural context in which they find themselves. The meanings that Chinese migrants attribute to their experiences are also important for understanding the social context in which they live and work.
Qualitative methodology
This research aims to follow the Verstehen approach, however it should be noted that during the participant observation phase of the research (which is discussed in detail in the following sections) the researcher is seen as the main instrument for collecting and analyzing the data and thus the researchers understanding of the interactions the social context of the study participants in a specific political, economic, social and cultural context is also given importance (Terre Blanche et al, 2006). Reflexivity requires the researcher to be aware of the processors and actions undertaken in the research. Reflexivity was also used throughout the research process to ensure validity.
Sampling
In non-probability sampling, a few cases of a study are sampled to obtain qualitative information (Davies, 2007 Descombe, 2007; Hesse-Biber and Leavy, 2011). The improbability technique allowed the researcher a richly nuanced understanding of the lives of Chinese migrants. A preliminary investigation found that recent Chinese migrants have a poor command of the English language.
Qualitative interviewing
The interview process
During some of the interviews, the shop owners had to excuse themselves from the interview to take care of their customers. A list of difficult words used in the interview guide was prepared by me prior to the interviews. This was done because the level of English among some of the Chinese participants was low and I also wanted the respondents to feel.
Participant observation
Participant observation process
I was hired by a Chinese trader as I initially introduced myself as a student interested in interviewing Chinese migrants in the Durban area. Therefore, access to trade and spending time in the presence of Chinese migrant traders was immediately possible. My attitude towards the saleswoman and other workers in the store changed over time.
Settings
Most European stores, especially in the overlap area, depend somewhat on non-European customs, but relatively few Europeans patronize stores in the Indian CBD. In the overlap area, non-Whites could shop, but few "Whites" visited stores in the "non-White" area. The trade zones occupied by the "Chinese" are significant in this research, as they expose the interactions that take place in the city.
Analysis of data
One interview was conducted in 'China City' and a participant from the wholesale shopping district the 'CBD Group' was interviewed. China Mall, Oriental City and CBD Group are within the boundaries of the CBD, while to the north China City is less than 15 km outside the CBD. For example, China Mall was officially opened on October 29, 2010 and now has 82 stores with a further development of 47 stores in the pipeline (website 14; website 15).
Ethical considerations
61 ensure that the research has followed ethical procedures, ensuring that the identity and integrity of the participant are protected throughout the research process.
Limitations of study
Conclusion
Introduction
Based on the above themes, this chapter provides an analysis of the data obtained about the lives of Chinese merchants.
The economic and social lives of Chinese traders in Durban
Obtaining wealth
For example, market reforms and the use of guaxi networks have helped the Chinese secure better employment and income. Because entrepreneurs are seen as a capitalist class and because guaxi networks provide the means to achieve this, more people are taking advantage of these networks to become entrepreneurs so that they can have a better class position, which also results in a better income. In the case of South Africa, guaxi networks have enabled Chinese migrants to become entrepreneurs (see the following sections), securing a better class position.
Crime
The fear of crime in South Africa prevents her and many other Chinese migrants from doing basic social activities alone. Brian: Most of the things here are good, but one thing I don't like is the safe, it's too dangerous. His experience of crime drove him to come to KwaZulu-Natal where he has to start his life again.
Summary
Social interaction between Chinese traders their employees and customers
Interaction between Chinese traders and their employees
At one point Nosipho complains: “Why is the government doing this to us, why did they bring the Chinese here?” The employees indicated that having the Chinese here was a double-edged sword. One of the reasons for the impassiveness of the Chinese trader towards the workers could be attributed to the difficulties they encountered in stealing their workers from their establishment. During my observations, I noticed that the Chinese trader placed himself in a superior position over his employees.
Chinese trader‟s interactions with customers
Since Chinese traders spend most of the time dealing with their customers, who are mainly South Africans and people from other African countries, this gives an indication of the treatment they receive from the society in which they trade. He still had a negative attitude towards her and sat inconsiderately in front of her. on one of the chairs the store sold. Most of the stores I visited have a television monitor and surveillance cameras around the store to observe customer behavior.
Opportunities and challenges faced by Chinese traders
Opportunities
The economic system of China and South Africa are able to give those who are eager, an opportunity to create a business which emphasizes the enabling aspect of the structure. Some of the interviewees came to South Africa through the recommendation of a friend or family member. Through social networks friends and family are able to share information on business conditions and prospects in South Africa.
Challenges
Tracy says that "you can't be friends with them", indicating that South Africans cannot be trusted. The negativity that South Africans show towards the Chinese could possibly be caused by the Chinese establishing businesses in the country. Issues of crime, mistrust and prejudice prevent the Chinese from actively socializing with South Africans.
Chinese traders adapting to South Africa
Since English is the lingua franca in South Africa, it is imperative that Chinese migrants are able to speak the language as this would help them not only understand their customers but also help socialize and communicate with people local (De Klerk, 1996). If they are able to understand the people they live with and trade with, it would be easier to adapt. Through Brian's agency he is able to see beyond the negativity and experience positive aspects of society.
The future of Chinese in South Africa
The Chinese migrants in South Africa are able to cope by using the available social networks. Wilheim, J (2006) "The Chinese communities in South Africa" in Buhlungu, S, Daniel, J, Southall, R and Lutchman, J (eds) State of the Nation South Africa: Human Research Council. Crush, J (2000) "The Dark Side of Democracy: Migration, Xenophobia and Human Rights in South Africa" in International Migration Vol.
Recommendations for further research
Summary
Guliwe and Mkhonto (2009) “Chinese Investment in South Africa” in Chinese Investment in Africa: A Perspective Work Yaw Baah, A and Jauch, H (eds) http://sask-fi. Laribee, R (2008) 'The Chinese Trade Phenomenon: Trade Supply within the Chinese Diaspora in Africa' in Afrika Spectrum Vol. Park, Y.J and Chen, Y.A (2009) 'Recent migrants in small towns in post-apartheid South Africa' in Revue Europeenne des Migrations Internationales Vol.
