Open AccessRefugee Entrepreneurial Economies in Urban South Africa
Author(s) -
Jonathan Crush,
Godfrey Tawodzera,
Cameron McCordic,
Sujata Ramachandran,
Robertson K. Tengeh
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
african human mobility review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2411-6955
pISSN - 2410-7972
DOI - 10.14426/ahmr.v3i2.825
Subject(s) - refugee , vulnerability (computing) , face (sociological concept) , position (finance) , political science , focus group , economic growth , cape , geography , development economics , economy , sociology , business , economics , marketing , social science , computer security , finance , computer science , law
The case-study literature on refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa is dominated by an overwhelming focus on the problems they face and their marginalised existence, reinforcing an image of victimhood, exploitation and vulnerability. In this paper, we seek to broaden the image of refugees and their economic impacts beyond a narrow focus on their marginal status and vulnerable position. They are viewed here as dynamic agents with skills and capabilities who can play an integral role in transforming local settings and contributing to economic development. This paper presents and discusses the results of a survey of over 1,000 refugee informal business-owners in Cape Town and small-town Limpopo.