Opinion | South Africa Is a Warning
Briefly

This essay discusses the complexities of modern migration, particularly focusing on Fikre Gebrie Orebo, an Ethiopian who pursued opportunities within Africa rather than traditional Western destinations. Born in a poverty-stricken region and forced to work early, Orebo eventually left home due to government neglect and potential military conscription. His journey takes him from Ethiopia to Kenya and finally to South Africa, illustrating a significant shift in migration patterns where individuals seek economic prospects closer to home amidst various personal challenges and geopolitical issues.
Increasingly, migrants like Fikre Gebrie Orebo are driven not only by desperation but also by aspirations, seeking better opportunities within Africa rather than traditional destinations.
Orebo's story exemplifies the complexities of migration today, where economic opportunities and escaping conflict shape the journeys of migrants in nuanced ways.
His determination to move south to South Africa highlights a shift in migration patterns, reflecting that many are now looking for better prospects within the continent.
Many migrants today, like Orebo, are not aiming for the West; instead, they are navigating Africa's economic landscape, seeking prosperity closer to home.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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