Browsing by Author "Zikhali, Thulisile"

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Migration, Motherhood and Subjective Wellbeing: Experiences of Transnational Mothers in Johannesburg
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-12) Zikhali, Thulisile; Vearey, Jo; Walker, Rebecca
The discussions on feminisation of migration have renewed research interests into the gendered nature of migration experiences. This highlights the implications of cultural norms and values on migrant women. Despite that there is a longstanding history of people migrating to Johannesburg from within the Southern African region, little is written about the experiences of cross border migrant mothers who leave their children behind. This study explores the intersections of migration, motherhood, and subjective wellbeing in Johannesburg inner city, drawing from the experiences of twenty women: originating from Zimbabwe (comprising 15 women), Ghana (consisting of 3 women), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (involving 2 women). Participant observations and semi-structured interviews are methods that were used to collect data in the following three Johannesburg inner city areas: Hillbrow, Berea, and Yeoville. These are migrant-dense urban spaces in Johannesburg. The study used matricentric feminism and constructivism as its philosophical resources. It also utilised concepts of precarity, embodied transnationalism and subjective wellbeing as analytical tools to examine transnational mothers’ experiences. Findings indicate that familial social history and cultural gender norms play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of motherhood and in determining what are seen as “acceptable” ways of mothering. The study also found that there were tensions and contradictions in mothers’ perceptions of motherhood: their convictions on meanings of motherhood and the roles that mothers are expected to play in families were not in alignment with their own contemporary realities. Contrary to studies that have been conducted elsewhere, for example in North America and Europe, this study suggests that transnational mothering strategies in Johannesburg inner city are largely mediated by localised contextual factors such as lack of documentation, unstable jobs, xenophobia and crime. These factors undermine mothering strategies by creating an environment of uncertainty which makes it difficult for mothers to fulfil their mothering obligations, for example, sending remittances on time, maintaining regular cross border communication and regular visits to home. This study contributes to conceptual advancement in transnational motherhood research by bringing the aspect of wellbeing to the fore. It does this by uniquely considering the use of subjective wellbeing in understanding mothers’ experiences and how migration was beneficial to their mothering goals and aspirations. Findings indicate that mothers demonstrated agency in dealing with various challenges. They found migration as emancipatory and they were determined to provide for their children as well as to secure their future.
Mothering from across the Limpopo: experiences of Zimbabwean mothers living in Johannesburg
(2016) Zikhali, Thulisile
Migration patterns in Zimbabwe and the Southern African region have historically been male led and dominated. Recently, however, there has been an increase in the participation of women in migration in search of improved work and education opportunities. This feminisation of migration has implications on normative understandings of motherhood, family and gender roles. In particular, it may necessitate renegotiation of family roles: fathers and other relatives may be tasked to take care of and nurture the children, whilst mothers find alternative ways to mother from afar, suggesting changes in mothers’ productive and reproductive roles. Against this backdrop, the study explores mothering experiences of Zimbabwean women living in Johannesburg who left their children in Zimbabwe, or who have had children in Johannesburg and then moved them to Zimbabwe. Participants’ perceptions about motherhood, the challenges they face and the ways they try to overcome them are examined. Special focus is on single mothers who are employed in the low skills labour market for two reasons: first their mothering role gains particular importance in light of the absence of the father to help with parenting. Second, given the nature of their employment, they tend to face resource constraints which do not permit full-time mothering. The study draws from literature on transnational motherhood and transnational families and in-depth semi structured interviews with eleven Zimbabwean mothers living and working in Johannesburg. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyse the data. As a mother who travelled alone to study in Johannesburg and who has a child in Zimbabwe, I am reflective of my position throughout the research process. Findings indicate that while mothers displayed agency in their conceptualisations of motherhood in the context of migration, they nonetheless viewed the ideology of intensive motherhood, which portrays mothers as selfless and fully dedicating their time to taking care of children at home, as an ideal form of mothering. This created challenges for them as they viewed themselves as not adequately exercising their mothering role and subsequently falling short of being ‘good mothers’ despite the important role they play as significant contributors to the household income in Zimbabwe.