A groundbreaking new PhD study by Dr Abel Mavura is reshaping public understanding of life in the African diaspora, challenging the romanticised notion that Europe guarantees prosperity.
Completed at the Africa Research University/University of London Institute of Paris and recently honored with an International Research Award, this research documents the daily struggles of young African male migrants residing in informal housing across central Paris.
Prominent academic and public intellectual Dr Charlton Tsodzo, who reviewed the thesis shortly after its release, stated that the study “evoked a certain emotion” and brought to light a conversation that Africans have long avoided.
“We don’t talk enough about how our expectations back home affect many of our people toiling in the diaspora.
Life ‘kuEurope’ is not the soft life many imagine. Many are sleeping in overcrowded rooms, dodging eviction and police, hustling for odd jobs, and carrying heavy stress and stigma,” Dr Tsodzo commented in his analysis.
Dr. Mavura’s ethnographic research found that the overwhelming pressure to send money home, even when migrants themselves are barely surviving, has become a defining burden for many.
“Every week, the messages from home are the same.
“When are you sending money?’ For many young men, being a ‘good son’ or ‘real man’ is tied to remittances, even when they themselves are living in precarious situations,” he added.
The study reveals a stark contrast between expectations in Africa and the lived realities abroad. While families celebrate remittances of €50 or €100, these small amounts often represent profound sacrifices, including:
- Skipped meals
- Sleeping on floors or in crowded rooms
- Working risky, informal jobs
- Constant fear of immigration checks and police raids
“Those €50 or €100 we celebrate at home often come from deep sacrifices,” Dr Tsodzo emphasised.
“This research invites us to revise our migration narrative. Europe does not guarantee automatic success, and remittances are not free money.”
He advocates for a shift from demands to compassion within African families.
“Perhaps it’s time our calls changed from ‘Send more’ to ‘How are you really doing?’
“Our migrants need empathy, patience, and a willingness to cultivate hope back home, so that one person abroad is not shouldering the weight of an entire village alone.”
The PhD has been lauded not only for its academic rigor but also for its timely contribution to African Diaspora Studies, offering a humanising perspective on migrant masculinity, survival, resilience, and transnational expectations.
In celebrating this achievement, Dr. Tsodzo wrote, “Congratulations, Dr Mavura, on this important piece of work, Makorokoto Doc Abel.
“We proudly welcome you to the Sowe reNguwo Tsvuku community.”
Dr Mavura hopes his findings will spark a broader continental conversation about migration, responsibility, and the emotional cost of survival abroad.
“Migration is not merely movement; it is a negotiation of identity, pressure, and sacrifice. Understanding migrants’ realities is the first step toward building more supportive communities and grounded expectations across borders,” he said.
As Africa continues to rely heavily on remittances, this new research invites families, policymakers, and communities to recognize that behind every dollar sent home is a story—often one of endurance, quiet suffering, and unspoken sacrifice.
Adding to the excitement surrounding this academic milestone, the renowned “Sowe ReNguwo Tsvuku” community has announced an upcoming gathering of PhD scholars, researchers, and doctoral candidates.
Slated for December 6, 2025, at the majestic Casa de Lolo, 2 Trail Road, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, the event promises to be an exclusive red-gown meet-up featuring networking, ideation sessions, collaborative discussions, and a relaxed atmosphere with good food and bottomless drinks.
Organisers state that further details on the keynote speaker and panelists will be announced soon. Attendance will be limited to a cosy crowd, and early sign-up is encouraged.
“We look forward to seeing you there,” the organisers shared.
