“I’m under stress,” barks the uniformed policeman into his cellphone. With his free hand, he holds the driver of an overloaded bakkie at a distance. The man is seeking entry into South Africa at the Beit Bridge border post.
The policeman summarily ends his call. He is exasperated. A heated exchange ensues, teeters dangerously, but is finally resolved.
This is a scene characteristic of South Africa’s far northern border post on the Limpopo River, a congested migration point funnelling disillusioned Zimbabweans into the country. It is not uncommon to see frustrated state officials clashing with immigrants fleeing Zimbabwe’s food shortages and escalating unemployment rate, reported to be above 60%.
Seemingly in endless supply, these would-be immigrants arrive at the South African border post at Beit Bridge carrying cumbersome bags filled with personal belongings and makeshift crafts.
According to Census 2001, 320 178 citizens from neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) states claim residency in South Africa. It is unknown how many are Zimbabwean, and how many more might be here illegally. Some estimates put this figure at two million.
“The census is not about identifying illegal immigrants and refugees but will help us know more about their needs,” explained Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa in 2001 at the Gauteng launch of Census 2001.
Charles Bright (33), an immigrant from Lilongwe, Malawi, says immigrants entering South Africa have one simple need: employment.
His 3 800km trip to Johannesburg has afforded him an opportunity to see much of Zimbabwe, its animal herds, and even its empty fuel stations.
“I like South Africa,” says Bright. “When I do business here, we do well.”
He points to an entourage of family members lingering next to his pick-up. A dishevelled bunch, they have been travelling for two weeks en route to South Africa’s golden metropolis, living mostly off maize and water. “There is no bread in Zimbabwe.”
It is the unbearable situation of not being able to provide for a family that prompted Sdumo Ncube (30) to seek employment south of the Limpopo River. Born in Bulawayo, Ncube is a taxi driver based in Musina, an isolated community on the far northern border of Limpopo.
According to Census 2001, Ncube is one of 687 679 people in South Africa claiming birth in a neighbouring SADC country. Contrary to popular opinion, Ncube is here legally — he is married to a South African.
Despite the relative stability that his new home offers — bread and fuel are freely available in Musina — Ncube’s adoptive home is by no means a mythical El Dorado.
Census 2001 shows that Limpopo has the highest economically inactive population (55,7%) in South Africa, with 21,6% of people between 15 and 65 defined as unemployed.
“Many people entering South Africa continue to see themselves as circular migrants, rather than as immigrants,” says Dorrit Posel of the University of Natal in a presentation prepared for the Conference on African Migration in Comparative Perspective, held in Johannesburg recently.
“Immigrants come to South Africa for employment or income-generating opportunities for a definite period and have very little interest in staying in the country permanently,” Posel says.
It is an insight confirmed by Ncube. “It is not my place here,” he says. “I still visit my relatives [in Zimbabwe] often. I want to go back to Zimbabwe. If it comes right, I’d go back the same day.”