Being a mother and owning an informal hairdressing business in Cape Town, South Africa : a study on Congolese female migrants

Abstract

This study investigates how female migrants negotiate the tension that arises from being entrepreneurs, being mothers, and having families. It shows how entrepreneurship offers them self-emancipation but limits the time they spend raising their children and time they spend with their families, but puts them in a position to provide financially for themselves, their children, and families. The focus of the study is on Congolese female migrant and also females from few African countries. It is hypothesized that female migration and entrepreneurship negatively impacts the relationships of these females with their children and families. Data was obtained through a survey of fifty-three respondents who were conveniently selected. This took place in the Western Cape Province, taking Cape Town, Bellville, and Parow as the cities to be observed. The statistical package for social sciences was used to analyze data. The results showed that female entrepreneurship has a negative impact on their relationships with their children but to an extent improves their relationships with their families and/or partners.