De-bunking myths? international migrants, entrepreneurship and the informal sector in gauteng, south africa

Abstract

The past twenty years have seen significant changes in the demographic and entrepreneurial landscapes of South African cities and towns. Immigrants, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have become an increasing part of cities and smaller conurbations. The province of Gauteng, home to the largest proportion of people born outside South Africa, is the country’s commercial hub. International migrants are an integral part of entrepreneurship in the province, as wholesalers, retailers and participants in the informal sector. Post-1994 South Africa has seen a rise in outbreaks xenophobia and entrepreneurs have often been the target of attacks, facing looting, assault and death. This chapter explores international-migrant informal-sector entrepreneurship in the province. It examines what entrepreneurs do and their interactions with the formal sector, South African entrepreneurs and the state. It is based on a 2014 survey of international migrant and South African entrepreneurs.