1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910798963703321

Autore

Tawodzera Godfrey

Titolo

International Migrants and Refugees in Cape Town's Informal Economy / Godfrey Tawodzera, Abel Chikanda, Jonathan Crush and Robertson Tengeh

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Baltimore, Maryland : , : Project Muse, , 2016

Baltimore, Md. : , : Project MUSE, , 2016

©2016

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (63 pages) : illustrations, tables

Collana

SAMP migration policy series ; ; no. 70

Altri autori (Persone)

TengehRobertson

CrushJonathan <1953->

ChikandaAbel

Disciplina

338/.040968735

Soggetti

Informal sector (Economics) - South Africa - Cape Town

Peddlers - South Africa - Cape Town

Street vendors - South Africa - Cape Town

Immigrants - South Africa - Cape Town - Economic conditions

Immigrant business enterprises - South Africa - Cape Town

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Executive summary -- Introduction -- Research methodology -- Profile of informal migrant entrepreneurs -- Moving to South Africa -- Entrepreneurial motivation -- Business ownership and strategies -- Contributions to the Cape Town economy -- Mobility and cross-border linkages -- Business challenges -- Conclusion.

Sommario/riassunto

This is report is the most comprehensive study yet of the contribution of migrant and refugee entrepreneurs to Cape Town's local economy. The survey of over 500 entrepreneurs engaged in trade, services and manufacturing in different areas of the city dispels some of the more prevalent myths that often attach to the activities of migrants. The vast majority are not "illegal foreigners," but have a legal right to be in South Africa and to run a business. Most are highly motivated



individuals who enter the informal economy to earn revenue to support themselves, their families, and because they have a strong entrepreneurial motivation. Contrary to the claims of South African competitors, the vast majority are not successful because they are engaged in shadowy business practices. What emerges from the survey is that while migrant entrepreneurs undoubtedly have strong social networks, their businesses are highly individualistic in terms of organization, ownership and activity in a competitive business environment. This report demonstrates their positive economic contributions to Cape Town and examines the challenges they face in running a successful business operation in the city. It goes beyond the rhetoric of inclusion to demonstrate with hard evidence exactly why migrant and refugee entrepreneurs should be accepted as an integral and valuable part of the local economy.