Investments in SA and the need to support families in their countries of origin are among the factors contributing to migrants' decisions, despite a fear of xenophobic violence.
In a study I set out to establish to what extent these relatives contributed to Nigerian migrants’ decisions to return. And what these return strategies revealed about how important families are in taking migration decisions.My study involved online interviews with Nigerian immigrants in SA who stayed put, as well as six people based in Nigeria with transnational family members in SA.
Nonetheless, my study was able to provide insights into the complex role that families play in these return decisions. The findings entrench the central role of family in decisions taken by migrants, whether they chose to stay put in SA or to return home.Those migrants who accepted the Nigerian government’s offer of help to return home fell into three categories.
In some instances, affected Nigerian families in SA decided to reduce potential victimisation by sending their children to their families in Nigeria while the father and mother remained in SA. She said: “I came back with my child. My husband will join us later. I thank God I am home now, at least this is my country. I am ready to face the challenges here. I know it is not easy coming back home with nothing, but my life is first.”But some families prevented family members returning. In some cases this involved husbands refusing to give their wives their approval to flee SA, or refusing to give permission for children to return.
As one migrant stated: “It is not as if I do not want to return home. But I have already established a business here.
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