Pushed to the Margins

Ethiopian immigrants in South Africa are increasingly occupying informal trading space townships, rural areas and select central business districts across the country. This article documents experiences of migrants sector Africa. Theoretically, rests on concept everyday life. It draws data from interviews, focus group discussions observations carried out between October 2020 September 2021. signals a period which everyone was challenged by COVID-19, especially migrants, compounded hierarchies marginality situated. Coupled with this, face two broad levels marginality: firstly, state policies communities they reside work; secondly, gendered class-based inequalities within community. The structural hegemonic barriers range lack documentation to regularize residency status respectively, extortion gangs name “protection fee,” exploitation local level state/community structures women restricted female roles. By same token, we see creativity ingenuity this community, that focuses their personhood, make sense lives create conditions live meaningful lives. explores some core contestations emerging these twin marginalities ways structure livelihoods