Social networks and residential choice: Zimbabwean migrants’ experiences in Hillbrow, Johannesburg

Abstract

Social networks play an important role in migration processes as they provide information about the host country to migrants prior to their departure and arrival. Studies on migrant social networks conducted in South Africa offer limited insights into how these networks influence residential patterns. They do not address why Zimbabwean migrants are concentrated in Hillbrow a neighbourhood located in the inner city of Johannesburg. Therefore, snowball sampling was used to find 11 willing Zimbabwean migrants to participate in the study. The data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Social networks shaped the residential choices of Zimbabwean migrants, who relied on strong ties rather than weak ties to make decisions on residing in Hillbrow. Social networks and Hillbrow's proximity to the city centre were key factors influencing migrants' residential choices. Residential choices were also shaped by contextual specificities in the neighbourhood and South Africa at large. Hillbrow emerges as Zimbabwean migrants' preferred destination that is safe from xenophobic attacks relative to townships.