The nature and operations of African migrant informal enterprises in the Mandeni Local Municipality, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Abstract

This study investigated the nature and operations of African migrant informal enterprises in Mandeni municipality. The study utilised a qualitative approach with an exploratory research design.  The participants were sampled using the purposive sampling and the semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from research participants who were African migrant informal enterprise owners. Thematic analysis was employed as a tool for data analysis.  The study established that African migrants own different informal enterprises in which they sell a variety of goods and most African migrants do not start businesses out of their own free will, rather, they do so in response to a lack of other alternatives, which makes starting a business appear to be the only possible option. These enterprises vary in size, scale, and operations.