NAVIGATING A GLOBAL CRISIS AWAY FROM HOME: CHALLENGES AND COPING MECHANISMS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SOUTH AFRICA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46991/BYSU.F/2025.16.2.034Keywords:
Social netwroks, Migrants, lockdown, COVID-19, South Africa, Strong ties, weak tiesAbstract
This paper looks at the experiences of foreign nationals in South Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown by exploring the challenges they faced and the coping mechanisms they employed. The COVID-19 lockdown affected almost everyone living in South Africa, but foreign nationals who often have pre-existing vulnerabilities seem to have been severely affected. Existing studies show the impact of COVID-19 on locals, and limited research shows the impacts of the lockdown on foreign nationals and how they handled such challenges in South Africa. This paper uses the social networks theory to understand how foreign nationals have dealt with COVID-19-induced challenges. Methodologically, the paper used qualitative methodology where data was collected through document analysis and in-depth interviews with foreign nationals from various African countries. The key findings are that foreign nationals faced challenges like limited access to healthcare facilities, hunger, loss of employment, xenophobia and their social networks helped them to cope with these challenges. The paper concludes that the South African government lacked the political will to handle the challenges faced by foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the government should show political will in future pandemics or state of emergency by ensuring that what it promises, its policies and its practice align.
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