ABSTRACT This paper explores the livelihoods, experiences and identities of immigrant informal traders and shopkeepers in the Buffalo City Metropolitan area, which encompasses the centres of East London, Mdantsane and King Williams Town. We primarily use a socio-spatial perspective to analyse informal activity, and offer a particular perspective on how informality has encouraged a type of ‘informal citizenry’ among traders. We argue that informal trading has a very particular history in the region, and that East London’s notoriety as a ‘border city’ and a regional frontier has created a fractured space, which is best expressed through the experiences of migrants and entrepreneurs. We point out that informality is a driver of economic empowerment and equality among traders, but also of xenophobia and difference.

中文翻译：

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边境城镇仇外心理的模糊性：南非东伦敦市内城的非正式贸易商和 Ekasi 店主

摘要 本文探讨了布法罗市都会区（包括东伦敦、姆丹丹和威廉姆斯国王镇的中心）的移民非正式商人和店主的生计、经历和身份。我们主要使用社会空间视角来分析非正式活动，并就非正式活动如何鼓励贸易商中的一种“非正式公民”提供特定的视角。我们认为，非正式贸易在该地区有着非常特殊的历史，而东伦敦作为“边境城市”和区域前沿的恶名已经造成了一个破碎的空间，这最好通过移民和企业家的经历来表达。我们指出，非正规性是贸易商之间经济赋权和平等的驱动力，也是仇外心理和差异的驱动力。