Motivations for remitting behaviour of Zimbabwean migrants in Johannesburg

Abstract

This paper explains the reasons, frequency, mode and factors affecting remitting behaviour of Zimbabwean migrants in Johannesburg. The paper is based on a study carried out in 2012 in two geographical areas of Johannesburg, Kempton Park and Tembisa. It argues that remitting behaviour is based on economic and social calculations made by migrants in terms of how they want to continue being involved in the affairs of their families in Zimbabwe and their own individual evaluations of what the future holds. It is also management of risk in the sense that migrants will remit more if they think their future in South Africa is not guaranteed. The economic circumstances definitely affect how frequent and how much one remits to their family. Remitting behaviour must be seen as a fully rational way of balancing levels of involvement in the two countries. It is also a way of assuring family members that the migrant has not yet become umadliwa. This paper reveals that remitting behaviour is related to the type of job a migrant has; which in turn is affected by the type of social capital directly available to a migrant. Low status jobs affect the frequency and level of remittances.