Somalis brewing hope in Johannesburg

On any given day, the pavement outside “Uncle” Ebrahim Mohamed Ali’s coffee shop is crowded with Somali men gathering for his famous coffee while discussing politics, sharing stories, or talking about events in their homeland.

People from the neighbourhood squeeze in or occupy the tables and chairs outside on the pavement daily, relishing the 58-year-old Ali’s coffee (or qaxwo, a type of Somali coffee) and enjoying freshly made Somali spiced cake, coconut cookies, or kac kac (a fried bread similar to amagwinya).

His coffee shop, Ebrahim Qaxwo, in Mayfair, a suburb to the west of Johannesburg, has become a symbol of the rich diversity and vibrancy brought by mainly Somali and Ethiopian immigrants from the Horn of Africa to this part of Johannesburg.

Although the shop itself is small, it is always bustling with activity. The walls are adorned with various souvenirs, memorabilia, and symbols of Somali life and culture, including musical instruments, flags, and posters of famous Somalis.

For the past 14 years, Ali has been growing his coffee business – from starting over after the violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2008, where he lost everything, to selling coffee on the sidewalks in Mayfair, to where his business is today.  

Ali's panel beating business was looted and destroyed during the violent xenophobic outbreak at the time. Amid the violence and chaos, his brother, who was at the business, disappeared. Even now, almost 17 years later, Ali has no idea where his brother is or what happened to him.

According to data from Xenowatch, an open-source platform developed by the African Centre for Migration and Society at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, more than 1,143 incidents of xenophobic violence have been recorded since 1994. The actual number may be significantly higher, as not all incidents are reported or documented.

At least 680 people have been killed in these incidents, with more than 120,000 people displaced. The economic toll has been equally severe, with more than 5,600 businesses and shops looted, leaving many migrants and asylum seekers without livelihoods.

These figures highlight the persistent and pervasive nature of xenophobic violence in the country, underscoring both its human and economic impacts. They also serve as a reminder that the effects of such incidents have real-world consequences, leaving people like Ali to pick up the pieces—often without financial or institutional support.

Ali has always been inspired and guided by the responsibility he has not only to earn enough money to support himself and his family in South Africa, but also to ensure he has enough to send money back home to his family in Somalia.

For the past 14 years, Ali has been growing his coffee business – from starting over after the violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2008, where he lost everything, to selling coffee on the sidewalks in Mayfair, to where his business is today.

“It’s not always easy, but I have to send money back home. There is no choice for me. No matter how much or how little I make here, it is expected of me every month,” Ali said, sitting in his shop.

“No holidays, no weekends, no Sundays. The only time I take a break is to go to the mosque on a Friday, but otherwise I’m here and I’m working hard. I have a responsibility to my family here in South Africa and back home.”

Remittances – the money sent by migrants to their home countries – are a vital financial lifeline for millions of families across Africa. Every year, these funds flow into the continent, supporting households, local economies, and even national budgets.

According to research from the World Bank, in 2022 alone, sub-Saharan Africa received an estimated $53 billion in remittances. This figure often exceeds foreign direct investment and official development assistance, highlighting the indispensable role remittances play in sustaining economies.

In Somalia, remittances are not just important – they are life-sustaining. Each year, members of the Somali diaspora send approximately $1.3 billion to friends and family back home, according to research from Oxfam.

Each year, members of the Somali diaspora send approximately $1.3 billion to friends and family back home, according to research from Oxfam.  

Estimates suggest these funds comprise between 25% and 40% of the country’s GDP, highlighting their transformative impact. During the devastating 2011 drought, remittances were a crucial lifeline, helping families afford food, water, and other essentials when humanitarian aid fell short.

Even today, remittances remain critical for millions of Somalis, enabling them to pay for school fees, healthcare, and basic household needs. These funds, often sent in small monthly contributions by working members of the diaspora, collectively provide stability and hope in one of the world’s most fragile states.

Dr Sabelo Mbokazi, the Head of the African Union's Division of Labour, Employment, and Migration, said there has been "a wave of recognition" from governments across the continent about the important role of remittances flowing into Africa annually.

“We've seen that remittances are beginning to form very significant capital incomes that pass through the banks, and therefore the countries have begun to notice this,” he said.

“These countries now want to institutionalise the engagement of the diaspora, because there is now an appetite and keen interest in seeing the impact of remittances, the flow of remittances… That is the dynamic that has been created by remittances.”

Mbokazi said the African Union has established a specialised technical office called the African Institute of Remittances to implement concrete strategies and operational instruments to use remittances as development tools for poverty reduction across the continent.  

According to the second edition of the African Migration Report, compiled by the AU and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), migration in southern and eastern Africa mirrors broader continental trends, with most movement occurring within Africa.

In 2020, over half of African emigrants remained within the continent, and 83% of immigrants to African countries originated from other African nations. In southern Africa, immigrants accounted for 2% of the population, while eastern Africa experienced a slight net loss, as emigrants outnumbered immigrants.

In 2020, over half of African emigrants remained within the continent, and 83% of immigrants to African countries originated from other African nations.

These patterns highlight the predominance of intra-African migration, in contrast to North Africa's significant migration flows to Europe and the Middle East.

South Africa is home to the largest number of immigrants in Africa, with 2.9 million, according to some of the latest and most reliable data. With its substantial migrant population, South Africa plays a key role in remittance flows, particularly, but not exclusively, within the SADC region.

In 2022, migrants in South Africa sent $991 million in formal remittances to their home countries, with informal transfers likely matching that amount. These funds are essential, helping families afford basics such as food, healthcare, and education, while also boosting local economies. However, high fees reduce the amount families actually receive, with cash still making up over 80% of formal transfers.

In 2022, migrants in South Africa sent $991 million in formal remittances to their home countries, with informal transfers likely matching that amount.

The UN and other organisations are advocating for the global reduction of remittance costs to under 3% by 2030, which could save families billions. In the SADC region, efforts are already making a difference—remittance fees have dropped from 12.2% in 2019 to 9.6% in 2021, thanks to initiatives like those led by the FinMark Trust.

Although these percentages are now in the single digits, for migrants like Ali, every percentage point saved translates into more money that can be sent to his family to help them buy food and clothes.

Ali’s story is a testament to Africa’s resilience and its growing influence in global development, aligning with the African Union's Agenda 2063 goals and aspirations.

By recognising the vital role of remittances in transforming economies and fostering peaceful co-existence, countries across the continent can empower millions of others like him.  

• This project is made possible by the AU Media Fellowship program, which is implemented by the African Union (AU) through the Information and Communication Directorate, supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
• Photography Emile Bosch