By Mzwandile Ndlovu

Labour migration has featured prominently in South Africa since diamonds and gold were discovered in the 1800s. Migration continues today as people move cross South Africa and Africa in search of new opportunities and a better life.

The subject of migration that took centre stage at a colloquium hosted by North-West University’s (NWU) Population and Health research niche area on 23 and 24 October 2025.

The theme of the event, held at the Mahikeng Campus, was “Migration and development research”.

The colloquium looked at how labour mobility within South Africa and across the continent affects families, communities, the economy and national policies. Participants, including researchers and students, discussed findings on rural-to-urban migration, gender in migration, and the impact of population movement.

“In terms of population studies, we have seen quite significantly how labour migration has affected the population structure across different areas of the country, especially with a lot of movement from rural to urban areas,” said Dr Karabo Mhele, director of the Population and Health research entity.

He said labour migration has long influenced how communities evolve and how economies function, and is key to understanding South Africa’s development and population patterns.

Labour migration started with mining

Dr Mhele reflected on the origins of migration in South Africa, noting that it dates back to the discovery of mines in Kimberley and later in Gauteng, which created a demand for labour and initiated large-scale internal and cross-border migration.

“This period marked the beginning of a complex labour system that continues to influence the country’s development today,” he said.

Migration patterns gained momentum through government policies and labour systems during that era.

“The introduction of taxes during that period forced many people to seek employment. This system, combined with the establishment of recruitment agencies such as the Employment Bureau of Africa, drew workers from across the region, including Malawi, Zimbabwe and Lesotho,” Dr Mhele said.

Beyond the economic impact, migration has deep social consequences, such as the separation of families, leaving many women to manage households on their own.

“This situation even influenced fertility patterns, as women had to make decisions on their own about childbearing and family responsibilities,” Dr Mhele said.

Modern migration trends

He noted that the nature of migration has changed over time, with more women and skilled workers now moving in search of opportunities. “Today, migration is not only about unskilled labour. We are seeing more women migrating, and in some cases, skilled workers are moving between provinces. For example, many people from Gauteng are now relocating to the North West for professional opportunities.”

Migration also affects both rural and urban areas differently. “While rural communities often lose young and skilled people, cities face pressure to provide housing, services and infrastructure for incoming populations,” said Dr Mhele.

He also encouraged researchers to study migration comprehensively, drawing lessons from international experiences such as migration in Europe.

Prof Mirna Nel, deputy dean for research and innovation in the Faculty of Humanities, said the Population and Health research entity plays a vital role in generating research that informs policy and addresses real-world challenges.

“Its work is important for South Africa and for Africa. Through research on migration and development, our scholars influence thinking and policy on key social and developmental issues.”

Dr Karabo Mhele, director of the Population and Health research entity