The contours, dynamics and impacts of African football migration to South Africa

[摘要] This study explores the contours, dynamics and impacts of African football migration to SouthAfrica. It argues that there has been a change in the international political economy of sport, and thatthis change is affecting world football migration. In addition to the study's primary focus on Africanfootball migration, it also reviews substantial parts of the literature concerning the phenomenon offootball migration, in order to explain which dynamics characterise football migration. The thesisalso accounts for the incentives that motivate African football migration to South Africa, and theimpact such players have on the South African domestic elite league. The study identifies whichincentives exist for promoting football cooperation in the context of Southern Africa, and howfootball migration patterns correlate or contrast with general migration patterns to South Africa.The study makes use of two theoretical frameworks, by Paul Darby and Joseph Maguire, tounderstand and explain player migration. These frameworks provide an understanding of thedifferent aspects and structures shaping player migration, and should be interpreted ascomplementary and not contrasting approaches. The examination of the frameworks' theoreticaldeficiencies and implications provides the basis for further research in the conclusion. Theconclusion argues that there exists a need to create a new theoretical framework within which futurestudies can be concluded.The study is motivated by the general lack of academic research on the specific subject andmigration to South Africa. The latter is suggested by the body of literature, concerning Africanmigration to South Africa, which argues for more research on the issue to get a better understandingof the current situation.This study is based on both primary and secondary sources, the latter being represented by e.g.academic journal articles and books. In addition it was necessary to conduct fieldwork to provideanswers to the research questions. The study makes use of exploratory qualitative methods in orderto provide a conclusion, and to answer the research questions. It can be characterised as exploratorybecause it will offer new insights into a specific issue which, until now, has not been researchedextensively.The analysis of the data and desktop research revealed certain trends, and provides a basis foranswering the research questions. The study concludes that football migration, like conventionalmigration, is very complex and influenced by several interwoven factors. Hence a broad scope iscrucial to understand the phenomenon correctly and not exaggerate the importance of some factorsabove others.In the conclusion the current position of the PSL is explained in relation to the two theoreticalframeworks and the work of Pierre Lanfranchi and Matthew Taylor. It is argued that the PSL, unlikemost other African leagues, has managed to cope with the 'enduring problem of African football',and has transformed into a commercialised, commoditised league heavily influenced by corporateinterests.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University