Original Research

A narrative analysis of barriers encountered by a sample of immigrant entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Justice Muchineripi, Willie Chinyamurindi, Tendai Chimucheka
The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa | Vol 15, No 1 | a556 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v15i1.556 | © 2019 Barriers; Immigrants; Entrepreneur; Entrepreneurship; Narratives; South Africa. | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 March 2018 | Published: 20 March 2019

About the author(s)

Justice Muchineripi, Department of Business Management, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
Willie Chinyamurindi, Department of Business Management, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
Tendai Chimucheka, Department of Business Management, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

Abstract

A growing movement of foreign nationals is settling and starting up businesses in South Africa. Given this fact, there is a need to understand those factors influencing the human capital side of being an immigrant entrepreneur as a basis for coming up with mechanisms to support such a sample group. The focus of this empirical investigation was to understand those barriers that are encountered by immigrant entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. To fully experience this, there is a need to understand those factors that affect immigrant entrepreneurship as a practice and the entrepreneur as someone who seeks to enact this value. The narrative research paradigm was adopted to understand the main purpose of the study. Guided by the study objectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted using a sample of foreign immigrants operating businesses in the Eastern Cape (n = 23). Individual stories and narratives highlighted the fact that immigrant entrepreneurs encountered the following challenges: financial resources, xenophobia and crime, legislation and finally lack of networks.

Keywords

immigrants; entrepreneur; narratives; South Africa

Metrics

Total abstract views: 5800
Total article views: 25438

 

Crossref Citations

1. From challenge to opportunity: survival strategies of Syrian migrant entrepreneurs in Türkiye
Esraa Alsaeegh, İslam Altun
Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy  first page: 1  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1108/JEC-09-2025-0281

2. Migrant livelihoods and the power of social ties: evidence from Johannesburg’s informal sector
Dishan Naicker, Alicia Fourie, Carike Claassen
Development Southern Africa  vol: 43  issue: 1  first page: 131  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1080/0376835X.2026.2625146

3. Self-employment of Syrian refugees: unveiling social networks and human capital of food stall owners in Rio de Janeiro
Roberto Pessoa de Queiroz Falcão, Eduardo Picanço Cruz, Dayane Andrade Campos Piccoli, Rafael Cuba Mancebo
Revista da Micro e Pequena Empresa  first page: 100  year: 2021  
doi: 10.48099/1982-2537/2020v14n2p100124

4. The securitization of African immigrants in South Africa
Sehlule Sibanda, Chidochashe Nyere
Frontiers in Political Science  vol: 8  year: 2026  
doi: 10.3389/fpos.2026.1719953

5. Effects of successful business practices on business performance: Evidence from immigrant entrepreneurs in Ekurhuleni, South Africa
Tatenda Chidau, Risimati M. Khosa, Magaret Phillips
The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management  vol: 14  issue: 1  year: 2022  
doi: 10.4102/sajesbm.v14i1.490

6. Driving factors and sources of capital for immigrant entrepreneurs in Ghana
Elijah Yendaw
Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research  vol: 12  issue: 1  first page: 53  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1007/s40497-022-00314-4

7. Perceived risks, challenges and coping strategies among West African immigrant entrepreneurs in Ghana
Elijah Yendaw, Linus Baatiema, Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
Heliyon  vol: 9  issue: 11  first page: e21279  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21279

8. Network development mechanisms of immigrant entrepreneurs: insights from an emerging economy
Clavis Nwehfor Fubah, Menisha Moos
Journal of Global Mobility  vol: 13  issue: 4  first page: 564  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1108/JGM-12-2024-0132

9. The entrepreneurial financing of the immigrant entrepreneurs: a literature review
Bryan Malki, Timur Uman, Daniel Pittino
Small Business Economics  vol: 58  issue: 3  first page: 1337  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1007/s11187-020-00444-7

10. Exploring the opportunities and challenges encountered by immigrant entrepreneurs in Eastern Cape Province Towns
Jane Akusoba
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)  vol: 13  issue: 1  first page: 47  year: 2024  
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v13i1.3031

11. Immigrant entrepreneurs' competitive advantage: the role of cultural and disruptive innovation
Justice Ngonidzashe Muchineripi, Gift Donga, Bramwell Kundishora Gavaza
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)  vol: 7  issue: 4  first page: 97  year: 2025  
doi: 10.36096/ijbes.v7i4.843

12. Migration vis-à-vis Philoxenia in South African context
Jonathan Maseng
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)  vol: 13  issue: 5  first page: 743  year: 2024  
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v13i5.3353

13. Transition Experiences from Student to Business Owner: A Narrative Analysis among Nascent Entrepreneurs
Ruth Soda, Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi
Southern African Business Review  year: 2024  
doi: 10.25159/1998-8125/15535

14. A narrative analysis on how women entrepreneurs overcome barriers and create opportunities in international entrepreneurship
Bhairab Talukdar
Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research  vol: 14  issue: 1  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1007/s40497-024-00394-4

15. Tainted status in dirty work: Immigrant Experiences in South Africa’s Informal Sector
Charles Cobbinah, Willie Chinyamurindi
SA Journal of Human Resource Management  vol: 23  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/sajhrm.v23i0.3004