A township based business location for migrant’s businesses in South Africa: cases of Xenophobia

Abstract: Major townships of South Africa namely Soweto, Khayelitsha and Umlazi lost the opportunity to attract and retain migrants businesses because of violent xenophobic attacks of migrants who ran businesses as sources of self-employment. Many of the businesses ran by migrant business men and women had to shut down because of personal attacks, looting and other violent attacks directed to them. It was in May, 2008 when the xenophobic attacks were seen again in South African townships. Organized business structures such as NAFCOC did not show interest in protecting the business interests and properties of their counterparts. This is a reflection study on this subject area and seeks to inspire further extensive research in this area. However, it has become evident that townships are less attractive locations for conducting business given service delivery protest which end up as opportunities for looting and disrupting business