In pictures: Southern Africa's 'invisible' entrepreneurs

Stand at South Africa’s border posts and you will see them. Women with heads and arms laden, cars and trucks and mini-buses filled to the brim.

These are southern Africa’s cross-border traders. The region’s “invisible” entrepreneurs who leave their country to earn a living by buying and selling.

Although often unrecognised at home and harassed in destination countries, these traders contribute significantly to the region’s economy, providing livelihoods for thousands.