Challenges and opportunities for the integration of second-generation Zimbabweans in South Africa : implications for social work with migrants

Abstract

South Africa is home to a diverse population of migrants from across the African continent, with the majority of them coming from the Southern African region. Second-generation migrants constitute part of the migrant population living in and being integrated into South African society. The study’s focus is on second-generation children and young people. This study aims to explore second-generation Zimbabwean migrants’ experiences of inclusion or exclusion in South Africa along the political, economic, legal, and social dimensions of their lives. The study also seeks to determine if inclusion or exclusion is passed on intergenerationally, how second-generation migrants’ experiences affect their well-being, as well as the implications of their experiences for social work. To gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of second-generation migrants, the study uses anti-oppressive social work as its theoretical framework, drawing on concepts of coloniality, misframing and oppression. The study employs a qualitative interpretive methodology, utilising a case study design. The research is conducted in study areas, namely Pretoria and Johannesburg. A purposive sampling strategy was used, and research participants were recruited via snowball and convenience sampling. Data was collected through semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Sixteen second generation Zimbabwean migrants, aged between 14 and 21, and 10 key informants from the fields of education, social welfare, sport, and legal services were interviewed. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The study adhered to ethical requirements, and the study’s protocol number is HUM 017/0622. Findings indicate that second-generation migrants integrate into three home communities: middle-income areas, townships, and inner-city migrant communities, with school being an additional community where integration mainly takes place. Both at home and in school, language functions as the main tool for assimilation, integration and acculturation. Second generation migrants are part of the mostly unequal friendship networks formed at school, as they are teased, bullied and subjected to xenophobia owing to their Zimbabwean origins. Beyond their daily encounters with community members and peers, South Africa’s documentation and migration laws are a major factor influencing the integration experiences of the children of migrants. Second-generation migrants face documentation barriers and, resultantly, encounter difficulties when accessing social welfare, educational and health care services. The findings indicate that due to these documentation barriers and discrimination, second-generation migrants and their families live in hiding and maintain invisibility. Intergenerational similarities and differences between first-generation and second-generation migrants were found in making the decision to migrate, as well as in experiencing solidarity and discrimination. These factors influence their differential integration. Second-generation migrants have career-oriented goals, dreams, and hopes, which some of them believe to be achievable through hard work. However, others thought they would not realise their goals in South Africa. The goals, dreams and hopes of second-generation migrants are dependent on the class and economic standing of their migrant parents. Besides their generally difficult circumstances, second-generation migrants have found support and care from community members and friends, and expressed gratefulness for being raised in a relatively well-resourced a country like South Africa. Furthermore, they reported experiencing valuable service provision from teachers, social workers and lawyers. Identity is central to second-generation migrants’ experiences, impacting their assimilation, integration and acculturation. This study concluded from participants’ accounts that based on their identity as Zimbabweans, and despite their attempts to integrate into South Africa, second-generation migrants are considered outsiders by the state and some South African community members. Thus, they are subjected to oppression, particularly marginalisation, cultural imperialism, social and psychological violence, and are rendered powerless. The study recommends that anti-oppressive social work be made relevant to the contexts of the Global South and that there is a need to adopt more macro level social work practice with migrants. The study also recommends that policymakers in the fields of education, migration, and social welfare prioritise the rights of children, along with undertaking further research in social work and migration, focusing specifically on the children of migrants.