RESUMO
This ethnographic study highlights the impact of Covid-19 border closures on the migration patterns of Zimbabwean cross-border migrants. Data in this study were collected using qualitative techniques, one-on-one telephonic interviews and social media platforms from 20 participants over a period of five months. The data were analysed using the theoretical framework of conviviality. Our findings indicate that Zimbabwean cross-border migrants managed to cross into South Africa and back despite restrictions, which suggests that border closures had a limited impact on migration. By drawing on the narratives of Zimbabwean cross-border migrants, we illustrate how migrants, goods and remittances managed to move and how social networks such as hushamwari [friendship] played a significant role in facilitating illegal border jumping, revealing the permeability and porousness of state borders to many diverse types of incursions. The closure of national borders during lockdowns highlights the differences between migrants and border jumpers, the latter of which chose to smuggle goods in novel ways, even though they possess legal documentation and economic status. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Este estudo etnográfico destaca o impacto do fechamento de fronteiras durante a pandemia de Covid-19 nos padrões de migração dos migrantes transfronteiriços do Zimbábue. Os dados deste estudo foram coletados usando técnicas qualitativas, entrevistas telefônicas individuais e plataformas de mídia social com 20 participantes durante um período de cinco meses. Os dados foram analisados a partir do referencial teórico da convivialidade. Nossas descobertas indicam que os migrantes transfronteiriços do Zimbábue conseguiram entrar e voltar da África do Sul apesar das restrições, o que sugere que o fechamento das fronteiras teve um impacto limitado na migração. A partir das narrativas dos migrantes transfronteiriços do Zimbábue, ilustramos como migrantes, bens e remessas conseguiram circular e como as redes sociais como hushamwari [amizade] desempenharam um papel significativo na facilitação do salto ilegal de fronteira, revelando a permeabilidade e a porosidade das fronteiras dos Estados aos mais diversos tipos de incursões. O fechamento das fronteiras nacionais durante o confinamento destaca as diferenças entre migrantes e saltadores de fronteira, tendo estes últimos optado por contrabandear mercadorias de novas maneiras, embora possuam documentação legal e status econômico. (Portuguese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Anthropology Southern Africa (2332-3256) is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)