Abstract
Applying an exploratory research design, this qualitative study seeks to understand how young migrants use the asylum-seeker system in South Africa as an adaptation strategy to overcome environmental changes. Using surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups discussions in a sequential manner, data was gathered to explore the various reasons for migration. My study followed purposive and snowballing sampling to select individuals who were between 18 and 35 years and lived at the shelters where my research was conducted. Findings from this research indicate that environmental changes worsen existing challenges such as conflict, inaccessibility to health care services and economic instability. Due to the combination of these factors; difficulty to isolate them, and not qualifying for legal status as contained in international definitions and regulations, migrants begin to navigate other adaptive strategies elsewhere. They perform refugeeship according to the characteristics of an asylum-seeker and refugee in an attempt to acquire legal protection in South Africa.
M.A. (Development Studies)