The Growing Informal Cities (GIC) project focuses on informality and migrant entrepreneurship. With high rates of formal unemployment, the informal economy in South Africa has emerged as a major source of income and livelihoods for poor urban households. Migrants play a critical role in the informal economy, yet the importance of that role is invisible to researchers and policy-makers.
The purpose of the GIC is to examine and profile the "hidden" role of migrant informal entrepreneurship in different Southern African cities. Most migrant entrepreneurs are local but they structure their businesses around the opportunities afforded by cross-border migration to and from South Africa.
During the making of this project, xenophobic attacks flared up across South Africa. Included in this series are portraits of shop owners and workers who have been affected.
Lorraine Moyo - Originally from Zimbabwe - Yeoville, Johannesburg
Louise Lubondo - Originally from DRC -Yeoville Market, Johannesburg
Moosa Asher - Originally from Malawi - Kerk St, Johannesburg
Muminom Omar & Ifrah Ahmed - Originally from Senegal - Masiphumelele, Western Cape
Nelson Ngobene & Salatel Muruco - Originally from Mozambique - Alexandra, Johannesburg
Nico Mahlaehla (left) - originally from Mozambique & Daniel Ankuna from South Africa - Alexandra
Riyad Abdi - Originally from Etheopia - Langlaagte, Johannesburg
Robson Chipfre - Originally from Zimbabwe - Alexandra, Johannesburg
Abbiye Mahamed Osman, Ismail Ali Hussain & Abdoshe Abdul Jalil - Originally from Etheopia
Abdi Ali Mohammed & Abdi Hassan - Originally from Somalia - Masephumelele, Western Cape
Abdikadil Ibrahim, originally from Somalia - severely burnt when his shop was looted
Abdul Shaban - Originally from Burundi - Alexandra, Johannesburg
Albert Leya - Originally from DRC - Yeoville Market, Joburg
Eve - Originally from Togo - Cape Town Station Deck
Jacob Ncube - Originally from Zimbabwe - Alexandra, Johannesburg
Thomas Mhlunga - Originally from Mozambique - Alexandra, Johannesburg
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