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The China Monitor April 2011 It is said that if a Fujianese wanted to go to America, he or she would spend more than 400 000 RMB (approx. US$ 60 000) to go there. To enter South Africa, the amount of 40 000 RMB (just over US$ 6000) is enough. Similarly, if a Fujian peasant arrived at America, they might find it very difficult to do business there. Perhaps they might work in the restaurant industry for several years, and wait for the chance to run a small shop. But in South Africa, the perception is that there are plenty of opportunities; if one has enough capital, one can run a shop or starts other types of business easily. Consequently, in Fujian province especially in Fuqing city, more and more people made the choice to immigrate to South Africa instead of other countries. Fujianese are the largest segment of the overseas Chinese population in South Africa. Because many of the Fujianese lacked sufficient capital to live and operate businesses in the more developed and expensive cities in South Africa, the vast majority of these newest Chinese migrants have been forced out of urban, cosmopolitan centres to the rural parts of the country. These Fujianese settled in small towns and villages throughout the South Africa. Many of the Fujianese face a variety of challenges: they struggle to make money, necessary to repay the loans they took out to immigrate; they struggle to communicate in the local languages; and they struggle with the loneliness of life in remote places. Many of them expressed longings for “home”. If they were wealthier, they would prefer to move to Johannesburg to do the wholesale business. The majority of those we interviewed in Johannesburg sent their young children to live with relatives in China, and they also send money to invest in houses in their hometown. It is questionable, how many of them will ultimately find the resources and will to go home. Yet, building a big house increases their – and their family‟s – reputation at home by displaying to their communities that they have become wealthy abroad. Push and pull factors in migration from China As mentioned, Chinese migrants are neither homogenous nor from a single place in China. The new migrants to South Africa differ in terms of place of origin, home language, level of education, business experience, and capital. The timing of their migration, in relation to what is occurring in China, in South Africa, and in the world economy, together with their individual differences have an impact on their ability to adapt to their adopted homes and succeed in business. South Africa has Chinese home province associations reflecting at least two-thirds of China‟s provinces; the largest is the Fujian Association, which claims to have 100,000 members across southern Africa, makes up the largest proportion of Chinese migrants in South Africa. The vast majority of new Chinese migrants to South Africa have made personal (and family) decisions to leave their homes in search of greener pastures and opportunities to improve their lives and the lives of their children. Newer migrants tend to follow paths cut by those who came earlier. The migrants from China mainland are affected by the rise of China; the liberalization of China‟s policies; the nature of bilateral relations between China and South Africa; the social, political and economic circumstances in South Africa; or the media portrayals of China, the environment in which Chinese migrants live and work. “The migrants from China mainland are affected by the rise of China.” In some villages in Fujian province, over 80% of the people have migrated over the past three to four centuries; these areas are „characterized by a long-standing tradition of emigration that has gained self-sustaining momentum.‟ It has become a © Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University; All Rights Reserved 10
The China Monitor April 2011 rite of passage for the men (and increasingly women as well) of these villages to spend at least some time overseas. They choose to immigrate and try their luck overseas. Young people from these areas are under social pressure to go out into the world and return successful. Migration, then, becomes a measure of one‟s courage, worth, and success; it has become culturally valued. ` The growth of overseas Chinese enterprises in South Africa actually creates a demand for labour and thus encourages, via social and economic networks, further labour migration from China. The Chinese practice of hiring other Chinese nationals has to do with trust rather than pure ethnicity; in other words, workers are recruited amongst relatives or family friends who are known and trusted. Their Chinese nationality is not the key factor. It is said that in rural South Africa, almost 80% of the more recent Chinese migrants are from the Fuqing region of Fujian province. Many of the Fujianese businessmen rather encourage their children to do the business than asking them to go to college. Despite huge risks and challenges increasing numbers of Chinese migrant are choosing to cover long distances for various African destinations. Potential short and medium-term financial gains appear to outweigh very real dangers and difficulties. Areas of origin within China, types of migrant, migration patterns, and migration paths are increasingly diverse. Perceived challenges to Chinese migrants in South Africa Policeman and the security problem in South Africa are the most serious problem the Chinese business had to face. Chinese of the latest wave of migrants report bad relation with the local police. One of the reasons is that some of the Chinese migrants are illegal entrants to South Africa; they have not identified nor do they have a work permit. Consequently, they became an object of extortion. Almost every Chinese businessman interviewed has experienced extortion from Johannesburg police. Over 90% Chinese migrants thought that police have a negative impact on their business, including those who have received their South African documentation. Chen Fenglan is a researcher from Fuzhou University, China. She recently participated in a joint research project between Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), the CCS and Xiamen University, looking at Chinese migrant populations in Johannesburg Another big challenge to Chinese migrant is the feeling or experience of insecurity. Many of the interviewees mentioned Chinese experiences with robbery in South Africa. More than fifty Chinese migrants were killed during armed robberies between 2007 and 2010. Some Chinese stated that “South Africa is a heaven except for the crime”. Numerous earlier Chinese migrants have left South Africa due to security concerns; some have returned to China while others have migrated further to Canada, Australia, and other developed Western countries. The more recent migrants, for their part, seem to increasingly adapt to local circumstances; some have learnt local languages and have begun to adopt local customs. These adaptive strategies combined with hard work might help them overcome local barriers to economic and social success. End Notes 1 This paper is drawn from field research undertaken by researchers from Fuzhou University and Stellenbosch University‟s Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), facilitated by the CCS, between December 2010 and January 2011. The social survey covered Chinese populations in various parts of Johannesburg, namely: Cyrildene, Dragon City, China Mart, China City, Bruma Oriental City, Omendo City and African Trade City. Researchers completed 502 questionnaires in total. © Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University; All Rights Reserved 11
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