Post migration experiences of Zimbabweans in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Abstract

Generally globalization has increased the number of the mobile populace making displacement and migration a common phenomenon in the narration of contemporary civilization. Over the past decade a vast number of Zimbabweans have migrated to different countries and still continue to do so, mainly due to the economic and political instability that has been present. This case study is an enquiry into the challenges Zimbabweans face when trying to settle or after settling in a foreign country. In spite of the difficulties Zimbabweans have faced in their native country, a large number of migrants may possibly be swapping old problems for a different array of extraneous and traumatic challenges. In order to understand the challenges that contemporary migrants face when settling it was essential to have a brief understanding of the reasons of migration as well as have a background nature of where they are coming from. Consequently this study begins by explaining the push and pull theory and the social inclusion theory which explain the migration patterns migration and post-migration experiences of Zimbabweans are likely to encounter. The researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The triangulation research technique was incorporated to heighten the level of interaction between the researcher and the subjects during the survey. It would appear that the declining level of education standards and lack of employment prompted much of the migration by Zimbabweans. The findings also revealed some discrepancies in perceptions and experiences of student and non-student migrants particularly in in how they perceive South Africans and in settling challenges. The biggest challenge encountered which still continues to pose as a problem is the language barrier.