Cultural Adaptation and Resilience in Southern African Migrant Communities: A Comparative Study

Southern African migrant communities in Morocco face unique challenges due to cultural differences, economic disparities, and social integration issues. Utilising a comparative research design, data was collected through interviews (n=50), focus groups (n=10), and document reviews (n=20) from three major ethnic groups: Zambians, Zimbabweans, and South Africans. Quantitative analysis of adaptation scores and qualitative thematic analysis were employed. Zambian communities in the coastal regions exhibited higher resilience levels (78%) compared to South African counterparts in urban centers (62%), which could be attributed to their stronger cultural networks and language proficiency. This study highlights the importance of understanding local contexts for effective policy-making in facilitating migrant integration in Morocco. Policies should prioritise strengthening inter-community networks, enhancing language training programmes, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue initiatives tailored to specific ethnic groups' needs.