An investigation of the role of migrant entrepreneurs in job creation in the hairdressing industry: a case study in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

Immigrants may be found more proportionately amongst the self-employed because they may be excluded from more formal wage opportunities, hence they may be driven into self-employment and forced to become creative and problem-solving. African Migrants may be found within the informal sector. A conducted in the city of Johannesburg concluded that migrant SMMEs played a role in changing the economy of the city. Therefore, we may assume within the same setting that numerous employment opportunities are being created by African migrants within the informal economy. The study was conducted in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province. Data was collected through purposive sampling which enabled an in-depth investigation. The data collected answered the research questions of 1) What motivated male migrants to leave their country of origin and migrate to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2) Why do male migrant select the hairdressing industry in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 3) When migrant hair salon owners hire South African women does this serve as a counterfeit against migration issues and/or municipal regulations (due process) and 4) What present and future threats have the participants experienced or foresee happening? The study adopted an explorative process of which aimed at understanding why male migrants hire South African women in the hairdressing industry. The study examined the role played by migrants in the informal economy and their contribution towards employment within the hairdressing industry.