ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the opportunity structure of Zambia's urban centres, by focusing upon the employment situation as it developed along the Line-of-Rail. That situation is then contrasted with opportunities found in Mbala, the rural district town nearest to the Mambwe area. Small-scale trading absorbs seasonally unemployed, semi-skilled workers 'who choose rather to remain in town than return to their rural homes'. Some 'returning migrants' with homes in Chief Mpande's area pointed out that they did not have rural gardens because of the distance at which Mpande is situated. Rural family members turn up on occasion and receive help with the marketing of whatever produces needs selling. The chapter focuses on male migrants, not only because to link up with Watson's account, but also in order to highlight aspects of return migration. It shows that female migration, and in particular returns migration for women, has become most important for understanding the transformation of village structures.
