A nexus of educational qualifications and economic prospects for migrants in selected provinces of south Africa
List of Authors
  • Kwakwa Mm , Masilo Dt , Matlakala Fk

Keyword
  • qualifications, entrepreneurship, migrants, quality of life, South Africa

Abstract
  • The end of apartheids, integration into SADC region and reconnection to global economic world resulted in the increase of migration to South Africa. The aim was to identify the qualifications and economic profile of the migrants in relation to entrepreneurial skills that enhance the quality of life and sustainable livelihood of the migrants. The study was qualitative in nature and employed descriptive research design. These methods helped the researchers to understand the experiences and perceptions of migrants on sustainable livelihood and quality of life. The study used a snowball sampling technique, and individual interviews were used to gather information from study participants. Interviewing technique (face-to-face individual interviews) was used within the context of descriptive design. The paper revealed that migrants' entrepreneurial skills play vital role and contributed immensely to the country's economy and improved the quality of life and sustainable livelihoods of migrants. The study revealed that some migrants’ small businesses were established through the support and network with their fellow countrymen. It was further found that these businesses generate income and uplift their livelihood through the flow of remittances to their home countries, they are experiencing robberies and other related crimes. Lastly, it also revealed that there is no link between the qualification and kind of business operated by the migrants. Findings from this study will form part of the policy briefs to relevant stakeholders and the funders (National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences – NIHSS. Southern Africa and South Africa is experiencing high volumes of migrants for various reasons. The study contributes into the body of knowledge by closing a gap on the link between the educational qualifications and economic profile that enhance sustainable livelihood of migrants

Reference
  • Asoba, S. N. & Mefi, N. (2020). Current Literature on Immigrant Entrepreneurship in South Africa: Exploring Growth Drivers. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 26(4).
    Azoulay, P., Jones, B., Kim, J. D., & Miranda, J. (2020). Immigration and Entrepreneurship in the United States (No. w27778). National Bureau of Economic Research.
    Bonga, W. G. (2020). Understanding Diaspora Remittances Levels in Zimbabwe (2009-2020) Including Future Forecasts Using ARIMA Technique (2020-2022). European Journal of Research Development and Sustainability, 1(2): 10-21.
    Blumenstock, J., Chi, G., & Tan, X. (2019). Migration and the Value of Social Networks. U.C. Berkeley Committee for Protection of Human Subjects.
    Crush, J., & McDonald, D. A. (Eds.). (2002). Transnationalism and new African immigration to South Africa. Southern African Migration Project, and Canadian Association of African Studies.
    Christopher, A. M., & Helena, E. M. (2018). Survival strategies and livelihood diversification of Ileje Migrants in Mbozi District, Southern Tanzania. Journal of African Studies and Development, 10(4): 43-50.
    De Vos, A. S., Delport, C. S. L., Fouché, C. B., & Strydom, H. (2011). Research at grass roots: A primer for the social science and human professions. Van Schaik Publishers.
    De Vletter, F. (2007). Migration and development in Mozambique: poverty, inequality, and survival. Development Southern Africa, 24(1): 137-153.
    Dzomonda, O. (2020). Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in South Africa. Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, 9: 274-281.
    Eresia-Eke, C. E., & Okerue, C. (2018). Coping ability and employment growth in African immigrant-owned small businesses in Southern Africa. Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, 7: 890-900.
    Fayissa, B., & Nsiah, C. (2010). The impact of remittances on economic growth and development in Africa. The American Economist, 55(2): 92-103. https://doi.org/10.1177/056943451005500210.
    Faini, R. (2007). Remittances and the Brain Drain: Do more skilled migrants remit more?. The World Bank Economic Review, 21(2), 177-191.
    Fatoki, O. (2020). Personality Traits and Performance of Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses. Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, 9, 242-248.
    Godfrey, T., Chikanda, A., Crush, J., & Tengeh, R. (2015). International Migrants and Refugees in Cape Town’s Informal Economy. SAMP Migration Policy Series No. 70. Cape Town.
    Greef, M. (2011). Information collection: interviewing. In De Vos, A.S. (Ed), Strydom, H. Fouché, C.B. &Delport, C.S.L. Research at grass roots: for the social sciences and human service professions. (4th ed. pp 341-374). Pretoria: Van Schaik
    Groenewald, J., Mitchell, B., Nayager, T., Van Zyl, J. & Visser, K. (2006). Entrepreneurship. Fresh perspectives. Pearson: Cape Town
    Handler, H. (2018). Economic links between education and migration: An overview. Flash Paper Series, Policy Crossover Center Vienna-Europe, (4).
    Hossain, M. S., Chin, L., Said, R., & Ishak, S. B. (2020). Role of Remittances on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth in Developing Countries: The Case of Bangladesh. Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, 9: 242-248.
    International Organisation for Migration. (2014). Gender and Migration from Bangladesh. Available at: https://www.iom.int/countries/Bangladesh.
    Khemesh, S. (2019). Strategic management, Basic concepts.3, 2-3. Available: https://www.re-searchgate.net/publication/331744805_STRATEGIC_MANAGEMENT_Basic_conceptsAccessed 26 January 2021.
    Kadushin, C. (2004). Introduction to social network theory. Boston, MA.
    Massey, D.S (1988). “Economic Development and International Migration in Comparative Perspective,” Population and Development Review, 14:383-414.
    Moyo, I., Nicolau, M. D., & Gumbo, T. (2016). Johannesburg (South Africa) inner city African immigrant traders: pathways from poverty? In Urban Forum (Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 329-345). Springer Netherlands.
    Mugumisi, N., & Ndlovu, N.M. (2013). In Search of Remittance Mobilisation Strategies Through Formal Channels in Zimbabwe: A survey of Zimbabweans living in South Africa and Botswana. International Journal of Management and Humanity Sciences. Vol. 2 (7): 605-618
    Mlambo, C., & Kapingura, F. (2020). Remittances and Economic Development: Evidence from SADC Countries. Eurasian Journal of Economics and Finance, 8(4): 261-273.
    McDonald, J. T., & Valenzuela, M. R. (2017). How does skills mismatch affect remittances? A study of Filipino migrant workers. Contemporary Economic Policy, 35(1): 216-231.
    Naudé, W., Siegel, M., & Marchand, K. (2017). Migration, entrepreneurship, and development: critical questions. IZA Journal of Migration, 6(1): 1-16.
    Nyasha, S., & Odhiambo, N.M. (2019). Remittances and economic growth: Empirical evidence from South Africa. UNISA economic research working paper series.
    Ortmeyer, D. L., & Quinn, M. A. (2020). Generating Economic Growth in Countries with Migration and Fractionalization. Business and Economics Research Journal, 11(1), 1-14.
    Seda. (2016). The small, medium, and microenterprise sector of South Africa. Bureau of Economic Research, Cape Town.
    Shirmohammadi, M., Beigi, M, & Stewart, J. (2019). Understanding skilled migrants’ employment in the host country: a multidisciplinary review and a conceptual model. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(1): 96-121.
    Tracy, S. J. (2019). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact. John Wiley & Sons.