Black Migration To South Africa

This work looks at the fate of black African immigrants in South Africa and the xenophobic attacks against them which have taken place in many parts of the country through the years since the end of apartheid. The xenophobic violence has been perpetrated by black South Africans, prompting some people to describe this phenomenon as the new apartheid - by blacks against other blacks - after the end of white minority rule. Besides the violence directed against them, black African immigrants also face hostility in general from a significant number of South Africans including educated ones and members of the middle class as well as some leaders who "encourage" them to "go home." In 2008, black African immigrants were attacked in different parts of the country in the worst form of violence since the end of apartheid. Tens of thousands were left homeless and just as many were forced to flee South Africa and return to their home countries. The author looks at the factors behind the violence and why many Africans are forced to flee their home countries in search of greener pastures elsewhere. Bad African leadership is one of the main factors. He also argues that South Africa can not solve the problems of other African countries, including unemployment, and should not be expected to. The attacks against the immigrants have resulted in many deaths and destruction of property through the years. And their plight is inextricably linked with the transformation the country has been undergoing since the end of apartheid, the author contends. This work also looks at prospects for transformation and the challenges South Africa faces in its quest for social justice across the spectrum in a society still dominated by whites in terms of economic power. Millions of blacks are still trapped in poverty with no relief in sight, a factor which explains some of the violence that has been directed against foreigners, mostly black African immigrants who are accused of taking jobs away from black South Africans, especially those living in poverty in the townships which were also the scene of the worst form of violence perpetrated against the immigrants since the end of white minority rule.

An illustrated chronicle of the migrations--forced and voluntary--into, out of, and within the United States that have created the current black population.

With essays by Blyden Jackson, Dernoral Davis, Stewart E. Tolnay and E. M. Beck, Carole Marks, James R. Grossman, and William Cohen and Neil R. McMillen What were the causes that motivated legions of black southerners to immigrate to the North? What was the impact upon the land they left and upon the communities they chose for their new homes? Perhaps no pattern of migration has changed America's socioeconomic structure more than this mass exodus of African Americans in the first half of the twentieth century. Because of this exodus, the South lost not only a huge percentage of its inhabitants to northern cities like Chicago, New York, Detroit, and Philadelphia but also its supply of cheap labor. Fleeing from racial injustice and poverty, southern blacks took their culture north with them and transformed northern urban centers with their churches, social institutions, and ways of life. In Black Exodus eight noted scholars consider the causes that stimulated the migration and examine the far-reaching results.

Building on global interest in migration development, the volume draws attention to one of the most important migration systems in sub-Saharan Africa. It reviews South Africa’s approach to international migration in the post-apartheid period from a regional development perspective, highlighting key policy issues, debates, and consequences. The authors find at least three areas where migration is resulting in important development impacts. First, by offering options to those affected by conflict and crises in a region that has limited formal disaster management and social protection systems. Second, by mitigating shortcomings and distortions in regional labour markets. Third, by providing support to struggling rural economies and ever expanding urban areas in terms of livelihoods and social capital transfers. Chapter One consists of a study of the country’s historical experience of migration and, in particular, analyses the changes in official attitudes throughout the twentieth century, indicating the roots of contemporary ideas and policy dilemmas. Chapters Two, Three, Four and Five complement this analysis of the South African State’s capacity to reform and manage the South African migration situation by looking at often neglected dimensions: the first explores the question of skilled labour, a crucial question given the unbalanced structure of the South African labour market; the second examines the impact of migration on local government in South African cities and specifically implications for urban planning, service delivery, health, security, and political accountability; the third analyses the nature of undocumented migration to South Africa and the challenges it raises to both State and non-State actors; The book concludes with an examination of health as a critical issue when examining the relationship between migration and development in South Africa, in light of recent empirical data.

Essays on trends (1921-1980) in rural migration and geographic distribution of the black population in South Africa R - discusses urbanization, population growth, demographic characteristics of urban population and rural population (by age group, sex and birthplace), inaccuracy of census data, impact of economic structure changes and influx control population policies, etc.; includes a literature survey and projections to 2000 under scenarios of continued and abolished influx control. Bibliography and references.