The lived experience of women involved in cross border trade

Abstract

The research explored the lived experiences of Swazi women involved in Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT). It examines how female entrepreneurs within the informal sector in Swaziland are influenced by prevailing patriarchal culture. Difficulty in accessing employment in the formal sector, flexibility in work arrangements within the informal sector as well as the growing pressure to provide for their families are reasons given for participating in ICBT. For most traders it is a full-time economic activity. In a context of increasing completion, income generated from ICBT is often supplemented by income from other economic activities. To a large extent participation in ICBT is linked to necessity entrepreneurship, to ensure the livelihoods of their families. Social capital is a key resource when participating in ICBT. The traders established networks where they shared vital information such as travelling schedules, sharing costs when purchasing merchandise, sharing stalls and establishing informal credit and loan schemes. Social capital was often linked to coping strategies, especially with the establishment of informal credit and loan schemes. Coping strategies also included support from family members with regard to running the household and financial support.