Vulnerability of Rural- Urban Migrants in Zimbabwe: A Case of Bulawayo City

Abstract

The study looked at the vulnerability of rural-urban migrants in Zimbabwe, paying particular attention to Bulawayo city, the second largest city in the country. Multi – sited ethnography, literature review, interviews and observations were used to collect data for this study. The study found that rural –urban migrants are vulnerable to economic, social and psychological issues. The migrants do not have anyone to turn to, when faced with life challenges. They migrant to cities in search of better livelihood and have to maintain the social networks in the community of origin as well as in the new community. The study recommends that the government intensifies the development of rural areas in terms of institutions of tertiary and higher learning and also intensifies opportunities for entrepreneurship and creation of employment. Psychological institutions to be established so as to help individuals to cope with live challenges and not to run away from challenges.

Keywords: vulnerability, migrant, rural, urban, community, health, education and welfare