Disability and Migration: A photovoice study on the lived experiences of Zimbabwean refugee mothers of disabled children living in the Western Cape, South Africa
Date
2024-12
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Zimbabwean refugee mothers of disabled children living in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The main research question was: What are the lived experiences of Zimbabwean refugee mothers of disabled children in the Western Cape Province of South Africa? The sub questions focused on the three migratory phases: i.e. What are the lived experiences of Zimbabwean refugee mothers of disabled children (1) before they leave Zimbabwe (2) during their migratory journey to South Africa and (3) after arriving in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. In collecting data, I used photovoice and narrative inquiry methods. Volunteer sampling through a Non-Profit Organization (PASSOP), was used to recruit the participants, thus, 12 Zimbabwean refugee mothers of disabled children. Interviews were conducted in English with Shona and Ndebele explanations, to gain insights into their lived experiences. Thematic analysis was applied to the participants' verbal explanations of their photographs and their narratives covering the pre-migration, trans-migration, and post-migration phases. the three migration phases i.e. two themes were identified in the pre migration phase, thus, (a) Traditional beliefs about the causes of child disability and (b) consequences for mothers after giving birth to a disabled child. On trans-migration, one main theme was identified(c) Challenges in cross border travelling with a disabled child. During post-migration, two themes were identified: (d) Discrimination of mothers when accessing basic services at government departments. (e) Discrimination by host communities. Although most Zimbabwean refugees living in South Africa have been forced to migrate due to political and economic challenges as previously identified, this study established that participants migrated to South Africa because of the hostile traditional beliefs about child disability. Because of these hostile traditional beliefs, these mothers were forced to flee for the safety of their disabled children and themselves. Furthermore, travelling with a disabled child was challenging. During their journey, mothers faced stigma for travelling with a disabled child, in addition to the challenges faced by others (e.g., not having travelling documents and having to walk long
distances, cross the crocodile infested Limpopo River, pay bribes to the police, and use illegal entry points risking being sexually abused by fellow migrants, and gang members along the way. Distressed by their pre-migration, and trans-migration experiences, participants continued to face challenges in South Africa because of their disabled children. This study demonstrated that this traumatising background experience of these mothers undermined their ability to cope with a lot of challenges in South Africa, for example xenophobia. This study revealed that xenophobia can be interpersonal or structural violence, such as being socially and economically marginalised. When seeking basic services for their disabled children, they are confronted with xenophobic attitudes from service providers such as the staff at government departments including the Home Affairs Department, Hospitals and Clinics, Police and Social Services. Participants
reported that some service providers withheld basic services for their disabled children. Moreover, mothers reported that they encounter xenophobic attacks in the communities where they reside. Mothers are suspected by the communities of stealing their jobs, and of straining the South African health system. Although none of the participants received the SASSA grant, they reported being attacked by community members who believed that their disabled children are benefiting from the SASSA grant. In a nutshell, the challenges of these mothers started during their time in Zimbabwe and continued during their journey to South Africa, and when they resettled in South Africa. Recommendations are therefore identified for stakeholders on the Zimbabwean side regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning persons affected by disability and everyone concerned with the integration of refugee mothers of disabled children in South Africa, including the government, the media, future researchers, refugee mothers of disabled children themselves, and the communities where they reside.
Description
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.