Local development and migrant remittances: education, skills and capabilities as preconditions for investment in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACTThis paper seeks to bring to the fore the importance of education, skills and capabilities in the manner in which migrant remittances are spent. Previous studies have often lamented the use of remittances in what is commonly termed unproductive consumption. This study sought to investigate how education, skills and capabilities interact and influence the manner in which migrant remittances are used. This study utilised a mixed methods approach and data was collected in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The total survey sample for household principals in Tsholotsho was N=159. In addition, key informants were N=5 as well as N=15 migrants based in Johannesburg. The results of this study have shown that as a precondition for remittances to be used in investment activities, education, skills and capabilities are key elements. The study has shown, that people who migrated having attained some form of education have been able to use their remittances and influence their remaining household members to channel th...