<p>This book powerfully demonstrates that some of the most resourceful entrepreneurs in the South African informal economy are migrants and refugees. Yet far from being lauded, they take their life into their hands when they trade on South Africa's "mean streets". The book draws attention to what they bring to their adopted country through research into previously unexamined areas of migrant entrepreneurship. Ranging from studies of how migrants have created agglomeration economies in Jeppe and Ivory Park in Johannesburg, to guanxi networks of Chinese entrepreneurs, to competition and cooperation among Somali shop owners, to cross-border informal traders, to the informal transport operators between South Africa and Zimbabwe, the chapters in this book reveal the positive economic contributions of migrants. these include generating employment, paying rents, providing cheaper goods to poor consumers, and supporting formal sector wholesalers and retailers. As well, Mean Streets highlights the xenophobic responses to migrant and refugee entrepreneurs and the challenges they face in running a successful business on the streets.</p>

Mean Streets. Migration, Xenophobia and Informality in South Africa

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Southern African Migration Programme

Debates about international migration in South Africa often centre on the role of international migrant entrepreneurs who are seen to be more successful than their South African counterparts, squeezing them out of entrepreneurial spaces, particularly in townships. This report explores and compares the experiences of international and South African migrant entrepreneurs operating informal sector businesses in Johannesburg.

Competition or Co-operation? South African and Migrant Entrepreneurs in Johannesburg (Samp Migration Policy)

Peberdy, Sally

Food Security in Africa's Secondary Cities: No. 2.: The Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa Corridor, Namibia (Urban Food Security)

Crush, Jonathan

Nickanor, Ndeyapo

Kazembe, Lawrence

Sociology

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Books by Southern African Migration Programme