Mean Streets. Migration, xenophobia and informality in South Africa, Jonathan Crush and Abel Chikanda Caroline Skinner (Eds.)

• Published in: South African journal on human rights 2017-08, Vol.33 (2), p.346-348
• Main Author: Segatti, Aurelia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0258-7203; 1996-2126
• DOI: 10.1080/02587203.2017.1338830

Mean Streets. Migration, Xenophobia and Informality in South Africa is an edited volume documenting various aspects of migrants’ involvement in the South African informal sector and the generally hostile and at times belligerent attitudes they face. Drawing on papers presented at a conference held in 2014 in Cape Town by the Growing Informal Cities Project, Means Streets presents itself in the form of an introductory chapter synthesising key lessons from the book followed by 12 chapters providing first-hand empirical research into four main themes: Xenophobic attitudes and violence towards migrant entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurial mobility and strategies of migrant traders in South Africa; The nature and contribution of migrants’ businesses to the South African economy; and Post-apartheid policy responses. Like all edited volumes from conference proceedings, this book does not make for a tightly knit sum of knowledge under a single theoretical discussion, but it is remarkably rewarding for the depth, insight and robust empirical demonstrations of migrant entrepreneurs’ position in the South African informal sector.