Push and pull factors of international migration : evidence from migrants in South Africa.

Abstract

International migration is growing steadily and has become an inevitable phenomenon on the African continent, Europe, and North America because of economic, social and political challenges. Post-apartheid South Africa, the second largest economy in Africa, instituted a liberal policy which was an opening for thousands of migrants who were in search of protection and better opportunities to come to South Africa. This paper examines the push and pull factors of international migration in South Africa, using Cameroonian and Congolese migrants. Using a qualitative-b as e d approach, we selected key informants for semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Our findings suggest that three factors are mainly responsible for international migration. First on the list are economic factors, followed by political factors, and then the influence of migrant networks. In addition to other conventional factors highlighted in literature, two new factors were discovered during the course of the research: a spirations and exposure. As a strong economic bloc, it has become imperative that the South African government address the different challenges that migrants face for better integration, social cohesion, and economic prosperity in the spirit of Ubuntu.