#onthisday Untold Stories of Ethiopian Migrants on the Dangerous Journey to South Africa Kenya Nairobi-For thousands of Ethiopians, the journey to South Africa is far more than a search for a better life. It is often a difficult decision shaped by unemployment, poverty, limited economic opportunities, family responsibilities, pressure on farmland, insecurity and the hope of building a more secure future. The journey along the Southern Migration Route can take migrants through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe before reaching South Africa. Along the way, migrants may face dangerous travel conditions, exploitation, detention, violence and dependence on smugglers and informal migration networks. Behind the growing migration figures are individual stories that are rarely heard. Why are Ethiopians leaving? Unemployment and lack of economic opportunities A major factor driving migration is the difficulty many young Ethiopians face in finding stable employment and earning sufficient income. For some young people, even completing secondary school, vocational training or university does not guarantee a job. With limited opportunities to support themselves or their families, migration can appear to be one of the few available options. Rural poverty and pressure on land For many families whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, access to productive land is increasingly important. Population growth, land fragmentation, environmental pressures and limited employment opportunities outside agriculture can make it difficult for young people to establish independent livelihoods. For a young person living in a rural community, a small family farm may provide little prospect of a sustainable future. The attraction of success stories from South Africa The established Ethiopian community in South Africa is another factor influencing migration. Stories of Ethiopians who have opened shops, built businesses, found employment or improved their families’ living conditions can create powerful expectations among those considering the journey. Diaspora networks can also provide information, financial assistance, accommodation and connections to employment. But there is a major gap between the success stories and the reality experienced by many migrants. People may hear about those who succeeded in South Africa without hearing about those who died, were trafficked, detained, robbed, exploited or returned home empty-handed. The untold journey Behind every migration statistic is a human being. Some migrants begin the journey expecting to reach South Africa within a relatively short period. Instead, they may spend weeks or months travelling through multiple countries, often relying on smugglers or informal networks. Some run out of money. Others are abandoned along the route. Some report robbery, physical abuse, exploitation or detention. Women and girls can face additional risks, including sexual and gender-based violence. The lack of reliable protection and assistance along parts of the Southern Route can leave migrants particularly vulnerable. And reaching South Africa does not necessarily mark the end of the struggle. Life after arrival in South Africa South Africa remains an important destination for migrants seeking economic opportunities. However, undocumented migrants can face serious challenges, including difficulties accessing legal employment and services, detention, deportation, discrimination and xenophobia. Recent anti-immigrant tensions have also affected migrant communities and migrant-owned businesses, including Ethiopians. At the same time, South African authorities have intensified immigration enforcement against people without valid documentation, increasing uncertainty for undocumented migrants. For some Ethiopians, the journey can therefore become a repeating cycle: Poverty → migration → dangerous journey → exploitation → arrival in South Africa → insecurity or discrimination → undocumented status → detention or deportation → return to Ethiopi - @voiceofimmigrants