Migrant arrival infrastructures and their impact on Zimbabweans’ mobility and integration in South Africa

Abstract

This study argues that arrival infrastructures play a crucial role in shaping the mobility and integration of Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa. By examining the experiences of migrants with access to these infrastructures and those without, the research explores the influence of the infrastructures on the challenges of destitution and homelessness that migrants face in their new environment. Through a comparative analysis of interviews, the study reveals how arrival infrastructures contribute to migrants’ familiarity with the City of Cape Town, provide housing and employment opportunities and facilitate the overall integration processes. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the importance of arrival infrastructures and underscore their profound impact on the settlement experiences of Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa.