Return Migration from South Africa: Piece of Good Fortune or Menace to Human Security in Mberengwa Rural District of Zimbabwe?

Type Journal Article - Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research
Title Return Migration from South Africa: Piece of Good Fortune or Menace to Human Security in Mberengwa Rural District of Zimbabwe?
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 9
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.403.5684&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Abstract
This paper contextualises return migration of Zimbabwean youths from South Africa back to their rural community of Mberengwa district of Midlands Province in Zimbabwe. It documented the experiences of the youths back in community and established the economic implications of their presence and strategies for reintegration. Interviews and observations were used to gather primary data. It was revealed that return migration contributed to the much needed human capital in rural labour intensive agriculture sector. Income generating projects were initiated; savings, technology and skills were benefited while on the other side the majority of returnees face discrimination, rampant joblessness and lack of funding for education and entrepreneurship development. Though their integration depends mainly on economic stabilization of Zimbabwe, at the moment returnees need capital and access to youth funds, employment and vocational trainings to substantiate practical skills gained from different trades whilst in South Africa. This would go a long way in fending for the desperate, in particular forced returnees to shun away from stealing, drug abuse, urban migration and circular migration to South Africa.

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