Socio-economic impacts of labour migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa: an investigation based on rural Bikita District

ABSTRACT

This study assessed socio-economic impacts of labour migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa using the case of a rural community in Bikita district of Masvingo Province. Mixed methods were used during primary data collection. The sample comprised 48 households selected through snowball sampling and five purposively selected key informants. Data analysis involved both statistical and thematic analysis. The major reason for migration from this community to South Africa was the search for employment given the lack of jobs in Zimbabwe. This helped migrant households improve their purchasing power and enhance their consumption of goods. Remittances were, however, inadequate to meet all household needs. Hence, some failed to pay children’s school fees in time, access health services when ill, and have balanced diets. When migrant workers decide to move to South Africa, it is not always the case that their children automatically have a better life. Some of them fail to remit regularly and if they send money home, small amounts may be involved. Despite this challenge, migrant households depended on remittances which cushioned them during times of need. Government should control labour migration to South Africa through creating employment and ensure that children of poor labour migrants attend school.

KEYWORDS:

• Labour migration
• remittances
• socio-economic impacts
• education of migrants’ children
• health of migrant families

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Beauty Muyambo

Beauty Muyambo is a development practitioner in Bikita district of Zimbabwe. She holds a degree in Development Studies from Zimbabwe Open University’s Manicaland Regional Campus

Dick Ranga

Dick Ranga is a senior lecturer at Zimbabwe Open University, Manicaland Regional Campus. He holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. His research interests are in migration and development.