Making sense of uncertainty: The precarious lives of young migrants from rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

This study aims to examine the experiences of young migrants and the role of uncertainty in their precarious lives. Drawing on data from individual interviews and a workshop with young migrants aged 16-24 years old in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, we use uncertainty as a theoretical lens, to illustrate the ways in which young migrants' experiences provide meaning for them and give them an opportunity to assess, and plan for better opportunities despite the stark outlook. Thematic analysis was used to examine the multidimensionality of socio-spatial identities in young migrants. The findings illustrate how young migrants hustle for opportunities to lead valuable lives in the face of uncertainty. The implications highlight how attending to the complex intersectional nuances of uncertainty can serve as an enabler of aspirations, alongside essential structural factors influencing migration among young people brought up in rural communities. However, in proposing this alternative view of positive uncertainty, the structural violence experienced by these young people should not be overlooked and should be addressed as per their context.

Automated summary

This study explores the experiences of young migrants and the role of uncertainty in their unstable lives. Through individual interviews and a workshop in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the researchers use uncertainty as a theoretical framework to demonstrate the significance of young migrants' experiences and their ability to assess and plan for better opportunities despite the challenges they face. The findings reveal how young migrants strive to create valuable lives amidst uncertainty. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the intersectional nuances of uncertainty and the structural factors influencing migration among rural youth, while also acknowledging the structural violence experienced by these young people.