Assessing the Factors Contributing to Rural-Urban Migration of Youths in South Africa: The Case of Sekhukhune in Limpopo Province

Rural-urban migration of youths in Sekhukhune in Limpopo province of South Africa is primarily driven by many factors. This study examined factors contributing to the rural-urban migration of youths in South Africa, focusing on Sekhukhune in Limpopo province of South Africa. The data was sourced from both primary and secondary materials. Though primary data sources, both personal and telephonic interviews were held with participants, especially the youths in some areas in Sekhukhune, while secondary data sources utilized academic materials such as journal articles, review papers, books, dissertations/theses, conference papers as well as newspapers. The findings revealed that Sekhukhune youths are migrating into urban centres in search of a better life due to the inadequacy of social infrastructures and amenities in their rural areas. The study concluded that the lack of social and physical infrastructure is the main cause of the rural-urban migration of youths in Sekhukhune. The study recommends that the South African government and the Limpopo Provincial government, in particular, should develop rural areas such as Sekhukhune in order to minimise the inflow of youths into the urban centres. This study is original. It has not been researched before, especially on the rural-urban migration of youths in Sekhukhune. Thus this study seeks to make a contribution to the existing body of knowledge on rural-urban migration. The study provides data that will help policymakers, government officials and researchers to develop feasible strategies to curb rural-urban migration. It will also provide data for tertiary students, especially those who specialize in migration studies. Keywords: Youth, Factors contributing to rural-urban migration, South Africa, Sekhukhune