Exploring the livelihood strategies of immigrants in South Africa

This study focuses on the livelihood strategies of Cameroonian migrants living and working in the South Beach area of Durban. It argues that migration is used as a livelihood strategy by Cameroonians to escape from the economic hardships plaguing the country. The main reasons Cameroonian migrants come to South Africa are: better education, improved business prospects, the hope of finding employment, and/or the wish to join family members that are already in the country. In investigating the livelihood strategies of these migrants, it soon became apparent that when faced with the reality of the South African economy, the migrants will settle for any form of livelihood, whether it be legal or illegal. By migrating to South Africa in search of better prospects, Cameroonian migrants are faced with many complexities as they strive to integrate and adjust to their new environment. Remittances are seen as a major feature of migration as they link migrants to the families that are left behind in Cameroon.