Hurdles to trade? South Africa’s immigration policy and informal sector cross-border traders in the SADC

Stand at any of South Africa’s border posts and watch who is crossing the border to neighbouring states. Women with heads and arms laden, bakkies and cars overloaded with goods, mini-bus taxis pulling trailers, and lorries—big and small filled to the brim. Trains and buses pull in with full baggage racks. Many of these vehicles are carrying informal sector cross-border traders, people who are better described as small entrepreneurs involved in importing and exporting, or trading, across one or more of the borders in the region. They are carrying goods ranging from fruit and vegetables to mattresses, stereos, duvets and other household goods. Travelling into South Africa, vehicles and hands are often empty—but not always. Refrigerated trucks and bakkies carry fish and shellfish. Other cars, buses, trains and pedestrians carry handicrafts and curios, wire, crochet work, traditional dresses, capulanas, coal and vegetables.