3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Migration, housing and neighbouring: Zimbabweans in Diepsloot informal settlement, Johannesburg(2018) Mangava, TraceThe precarious nature of access to housing is faced by migrants, either documented or undocumented as opposed to what the literature claims. The perilous and disbarring experience related to access to housing by Zimbabwean migrants in Diepsloot informal settlement attests to this. However, migrants’ access to the neighbourhood differs for those with no documentation as they have to constantly take precaution when moving around their social milieu to avoid falling victims to the police because of their illegal status. Thus, inculcating feelings of unacceptability and thereby limiting the migrants’ chances of assimilation. The research explores the procedures that Zimbabwean migrants follow to acquire a shack in Diepsloot informal settlement and also how these migrants navigate the neighbourhood and with what challenges. It employed a qualitative approach as it is interested in the lived experiences of these Zimbabwean migrants. The concepts of ‘the stranger’ and ‘social networks’ were used as a theoretical framework guiding the research. The data was gathered by the use of the semi-structured interviews, which were later transcribed for the purposes of the research report. Snowball sampling was used to identify the participants of the research with the initial participant being randomly chosen. This participant then referred the researcher to other participants. The findings reveal that most Zimbabwean migrants have gained purchased access to Diepsloot. These Zimbabwean migrants do not have ownership of these shacks but rent from some of the locals who once resided there and now are beneficiaries of the RDP housing. Regarding the supposition that Zimbabwean migrants rely on social networks for access to housing, the findings corroborate this hypothesis as some of the Zimbabwean migrants have gained access to the shacks via their social networks. The minority Zimbabwean migrants who claim ownership of the shacks did not get these shacks through proper channels; either they got it through corruption or via their social networks. Zimbabwean migrants’ access to the neighbourhood as demonstrated by informal business ownership, the establishment of churches and entertainment activities is still marred by issues of nationality. This is demonstrated by the concept of ‘living apart’ with locals, and also identity swapping; with Zimbabweans disguising as people from Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The Shona who face double exclusion from the Ndebele group and from the locals, pretend to be the Ndebele people. This is superficial and failed form of assimilationItem Policy, capability and security challenges in safeguarding the border with Zimbabwe(2017) De Ridder, MornayItem Exploring the perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers regarding access to mental health services in Zimbabwe: a case study of Tongogara refugee camp(2017) Govere, EdwardIn Zimbabwe, the past two decades have been characterized by a growing flow of refugees into the country from other parts of the continent such as Burundi, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Somalia. Drawing from the biomedical model, prevailing discourses about mental health posit that after going through traumatic experiences in the wartorn regions of the world, refugees and asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health problems and are, therefore, in need of counselling and psychosocial services. This assumption has guided, and has subsequently been supported by, several studies conducted in the Global North, and there is generally a lack of local literature and research that either confirm or challenge the assumption in Southern Africa. This research was prompted by such a substantial research gap and therefore seeks to examine the perceptions of refugees regarding mental health and access to care. The study identified Tongogara Refugee Camp as the study site and targeted adult individuals aged 18 and above, residing in the camp, as well as officials from the Zimbabwean Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Christian Care, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), clinic officials as well as faith-based leaders. The access to health care framework (McIntyre, Thiede, & Birch, 2009), was used as the basis and theoretical framework for this research to explore the various factors determining availability, affordability and acceptability. The overall methodology employed was the qualitative approach and the case study research design. Respondents were recruited through the purposive sampling method and semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering. Thematic content analysis yielded participants’ perceptions of mental health and access to care through their descriptions of pre-migration trauma and post-migration stress as the major causes of mental illness, and expressions of mental illness such as sadness, worrying, wandering aimlessly through the camp, talking too much and violence. The study sheds light on the problems of medicalizing distress and human suffering, particularly the limitations of the biomedical model of mental health treatment. Camp residents mainly rely on spirituality and social support for coping with mental health. Several issues, relating to all the dimensions of the concept of access were identified, including language barriers, temporary solution to a permanent problem, lengthy waiting times, as well as ill-treatment at the camp clinic. Recommendations include the key need to be cautious about the importation of Western biomedical approaches, the need to pay more attention to the prevention of mental health problems and the promotion of mental health through action on the social determinants of health, the need for language interpreter services at the camp clinic, the need for improved engagement with refugee families, and the need for resettlement. Such information may help add to the body of available literature on refugee and asylum seekers’ access to health services and to literature that is exploring the development of appropriate responses to mental wellbeing in the Southern African context.Item Making a living and moving on: exploring the livelihoods of regularised Zimbabweans in Johannesburg, South Africa(2017) Muchichwa, Tariro Winnet ChaiyeThis research is encouraged by the recent developments in the migration patterns of Zimbabweans in South Africa in the period 2009-2016. The absence of secure livelihoods due to the political stalemate in Zimbabwe resulted in Zimbabweans looking for a safe haven in different parts of the world. South Africa is among many other countries which has been a recipient of both undocumented and documented Zimbabweans. Most Zimbabweans in South Africa were undocumented and in 2010 the South African government made an initiative to regularise the positions of Zimbabweans living in South Africa, yet there is limited academic research on the livelihoods of regularised Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa. The rationale behind the implementation of the Zimbabwe Documentation Process (ZDP) in 2010 and the renewal of the process through issuing the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) in 2014 is noteworthy. However, this study explores the livelihood experiences of regularised Zimbabweans in Johannesburg, South Africa. The research examines the livelihood strategies, challenges, opportunities and outcomes of regularised Zimbabwean migrants. The purpose of this formative qualitative study is to investigate if the access to livelihood opportunities and outcomes among regularised Zimbabwean migrants are strongly dependant on documentation. This is an important area of study given the ongoing special dispensation for Zimbabweans in South Africa and the wider migration scholarship in the country. Based on 15 semi structured interviews with regularised Zimbabwean migrants and 1 key informant conducted in Turfontein and Florida my assertion in this study is that the reported livelihood experiences of regularised Zimbabweans highlight a complex connection between documentation and livelihoods. On one hand findings show that documentation has improved the economic and social wellbeing of regularised Zimbabwean migrant in Johannesburg and on the other hand, documentation is undermining the livelihood options of regularised Zimbabwean migrants. For individuals who are in search of secure and sustainable livelihoods, findings show that mostly regularisation is offering limited protection and temporary rights to migrants who are likely to live in South Africa for years to come. Key words: documentation, livelihood experiences, regularisation, regularised Zimbabwean migrants, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Documentation Project, and Zimbabwe Special Permit.Item Let me tell my own story: a qualitative exploration how and why 'victims' remember Gukurahundi in Johannesburg today(2017) Ndlovu, Duduzile SakheleneThis study is about the ways Gukurahundi memory is invoked by Zimbabwean migrants living in Johannesburg, South Africa. The research focused on inner city Johannesburg residents who are actively speaking about the Gukurahundi. Participants were drawn from three main migrant groups; Zimbabwe Action Movement, Mthwakazi Liberation Front and Ithemba leSizwe. Two artworks produced to document the atrocities; a film, The Tunnel, written and produced by an ‘outsider’ white South African filmmaker and music, Inkulu lendaba, written and performed by victims of the violence, were used as case studies; to answer questions about the meaning, role and appropriate form for remembering Gukurahundi in Johannesburg today. The Tunnel has enjoyed a global audience whereas Inkulu lendaba, remains within the victims’ locality. Findings of this study are drawn from participant observation of victims’ community events, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and, an analysis and comparison of the artworks and their reception by victims. One of the key findings of this study focusing on contestation over how a history is narrated is that translation plays a significant role in maintaining global inequality and continuing forms of colonialism. The memory of Gukurahundi is invoked, partially translated, in the music to critique continuing forms of colonial inequality in the ways narratives of victimhood are received by the global audience highlighting a shortcoming in the film, which translates the story of Gukurahundi for a global audience yet causing it to lose its authenticity for the victims. The music by victims narrates the experience of being a victim of Gukurahundi, a migrant in xenophobic South Africa and black in a racist global community. In this way it postures the socio-economic location of the victims in the global community as the reason for their victimhood and its lack of acknowledgement. This socio-economic location is therefore pivotal to their healing. The study contributes to literature on post conflict transition mechanisms and foregrounds the role of acknowledgement in healing however; specific forms of narration are required for healing. Furthermore the study shows the role of music in the transmission of trauma across generations, facilitating the domestication of politics into the everyday and fostering ‘safe’ political participation in repressive contexts. The thesis also presents the potential of creative methodologies in disrupting the researcher-participant relationship power dynamics by presenting research in poetic form and facilitating participant engagement with research output; Poetic transcription similarly does this by creating transparency in the meaning making process of research analysis.