Migration, Borders, and Borderlands: Making National Identity in Southern African Communities offers a timely and multidimensional exploration of how national identities are formed, contested, and lived in the border regions of the SADC (Southern African Development Community). Edited by Munyaradzi Mushonga, John Aerni-Flessner, Chitja Twala, and Grey Magaiza, this volume brings together voices from across the region to examine the complex realities of people living in borderlands—spaces often overlooked in national discourse.
Framed around the concept of the borderscape, the book argues that borders are not merely geographic lines but lived spaces where national identity is shaped and redefined. With contributions that span topics such as gender, migration history, and border policies, the collection centres the lived experiences of those most impacted by shifting borders and restrictive migration regimes. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the politics of belonging, movement, and identity in Southern Africa—and offers a compelling call for more humane and inclusive border governance in the region and beyond.
ISBN Number: 978-1-66694-280-4
Year of publication: 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic (30 October 2023)
Edited by: Munyaradzi Mushonga, John Aerni-Flessner, Chitja Twala, Grey Magaiza