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Contested Migration

Tswana Women “Running Away” from the “Land of the Desert”

  • Weaving together history, theory and migrant women’s own words, this book reveals women’s multifaceted participation in the cross-border flows from colonial Botswana to pre-apartheid South Africa

  • Uncovers a significant, albeit previously invisible, history of southern Africa

  • Celebrates women’s agency, ingenuity and creativity

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
  2. Women “Runaways”

    • Camilla May Cockerton
    Pages 1-19
  3. Women’s Migration Pre-1920

    • Camilla May Cockerton
    Pages 21-36
  4. Single Women’s Exodus from Botswana

    • Camilla May Cockerton
    Pages 37-57
  5. Single Tswana Women Migrants in South Africa

    • Camilla May Cockerton
    Pages 59-79
  6. Tswana Men Trying to Stop Women

    • Camilla May Cockerton
    Pages 81-97
  7. Men Trying to Stop Women’s Migration

    • Camilla May Cockerton
    Pages 113-134
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 141-149

About this book

The migrant has been designated the central or defining figure of the 20th and 21st centuries. For much of this period, research and theory have centred on adult men as representative, ignoring women’s part in international migration. Similarly, in Botswana, most history books on migration focus solely on men’s experiences. Weaving together history, theory and migrant women’s own words, this book reveals Tswana women’s multifaceted participation in the cross-border flows from colonial Botswana to pre-apartheid South Africa. Women succeeded in “running away” despite the opposition of Tswana and colonial male authorities. This book celebrates women’s agency and determination in creating new social networks, finding employment, and supporting children and families.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Independent Researcher, Wellington, New Zealand

    Camilla May Cockerton

About the author

Camilla Cockerton has been a university lecturer in International Development and a volunteer with NGOs in Africa and New Zealand. Her passion for migration, gender, home and resilience started with her PhD research on Tswana women’s migrancy in southern Africa.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Contested Migration

  • Book Subtitle: Tswana Women “Running Away” from the “Land of the Desert”

  • Authors: Camilla May Cockerton

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2589-2

  • Publisher: Palgrave Pivot Singapore

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2019

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-13-2588-5Published: 11 December 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-981-13-2589-2Published: 28 November 2018

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIV, 149

  • Topics: Migration, Human Geography, Politics and Gender, African History

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access