1 / 19

Somalinomics

Somalinomics. Somali migrant trade practices and their impact on local economies in the Western Cape. Vanya Gastrow African Centre for Migration & Society Wits University. Topic. To understand the impact of Somali migrant trade on South African local economies:

brinda
Download Presentation

Somalinomics

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Somalinomics Somali migrant trade practices and their impact on local economies in the Western Cape Vanya Gastrow African Centre for Migration & Society Wits University

  2. Topic To understand the impact of Somali migrant trade on South African local economies: • Need to understand the diversity and complexity of Somali trade practices. • Assessments of foreign migrant trade need to be placed in broader context.

  3. Somali spaza trade practices

  4. Types of spaza shops

  5. Trade practices: General • Low mark-up, high turnover; • Location - high pedestrian traffic areas; • Rent shops; • Sleep in or behind shops; • Open early, close late; • Customer-focused practices

  6. Ownership • Collective investment • Shareholding in multiple shops • Sole ownership • Share donation • Employees and employers

  7. Procurement • By individually from wholesalers; • Share transport; • Price comparisons and special offers; • Negotiating with managers.

  8. Somali trade in CBD areas

  9. Trade in CBD areas Diverse types of shops and businesses Hire South African staff Many female Somali traders

  10. Somali spaza shops and local economies

  11. South African spazas: possible challenges • Foreign traders • Supermarkets • Food prices • Business skills • Personal and management factors

  12. Other parties affected by Somali spaza shops: • Landlords • Small scale suppliers and manufacturers • Wholesalers • Employees • Consumers • South African job seekers and state social services • SARS: see Abdu Sh Mohamed Hikam study of Motherwell

  13. Conclusion • Focus on the complexities to avoid myths and stereotyping. For example: • Collective and individualist, • Small, medium and large • Understanding in greater detail how shops work, as well as looking at broader parties affected gives a more comprehensive picture of the impact of Somali trade on local economies and opportunities for South African entrepreneurialismand economic growth.

  14. Thank you! Vanya Gastrow African Centre for Migration & Society Wits University

More Related