Migration Issues in South Africa
By Katie Arango
Each year, thousands of migrants and refugees from surrounding war-torn and destitute African countries flock to South Africa in hope of a better life, or just a means to feed their children. However, as we will see, life is not always easy for them when they get there as South Africa itself faces high levels of unemployment and poverty.
Background Info
Migration to South Africa has certainly been on the rise since the end of apartheid and that is a trend that continues today. In fact, in 2010 South Africa had more asylum applications lodged than anywhere else in the world! A change in this pattern is not likely to happen any time soon. Most migrants and refugees come from other African countries such as nearby Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique and Malawi, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While many come with their families, others leave their entire social network back home and move to South Africa alone.
The Problem
A significant number are seeking asylum because of threats to their freedom or lives in their home countries. Still more are probably more accurately described as economic migrants, but find themselves in the ‘asylum seeker’ system, as their only recourse to at least temporarily receive documents to legalise their stay in SA. The process to evaluate their claim and determine their status is a lengthy, difficult and bureaucratic one. There are currently over 300,000 applications still awaiting a decision, which shows just how difficult it is to obtain the documentation they need in order to have access to social services, jobs, housing, business opportunities, etc.
And then there is the ongoing battle between locals and migrants for these basic privileges. Migrants may find themselves a target for xenophobia by native South Africans in their new communities as they are seen as an unwelcome potential threat to their employment. You may have heard of the xenophobic attacks of 2008 that were directed mainly against migrants from Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Thus they find themselves in a particularly desperate situation, having escaped the horrors of their home countries, and finding themselves without access to basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, and water, let alone employment and a positive future for themselves and their families.
How you can help!
In order to make their difficult transitions easier, there are several non-profit and human rights organizations in Cape Town that aim to assist this needy population, with more popping up all the time. These organizations include refugee centers, orphanages, activist organizations, legal aid clinics, and organizations that offer humanitarian assistance, skills training and development. If you’ve got the passion and time, check out our Human Rights Internships in Cape Town to see where you might be able to make a difference in the plight of these migrants and refugees. Many skills from teaching English or computer skills to marketing and business to research and social work can all be very helpful when working with these populations. Need additional convincing? Check out this video from a former intern Francesca who interned with a human rights center:
InternFocus: Working in a refugee center with Connect-123
Additionally, if you find yourself in South Africa, you can volunteer your extra time to assist refugee orphans with their homework, for example. Or try doing something simple like donating unwanted clothes to the Refugee Children’s Project; they accept anything from furniture and clothes to other household items and all the money from selling these goods goes to a fund for refugee women and children.
If you can’t physically be in South Africa, there are still ways to help! For one thing, this crisis used to be all over the media, but is no longer given the same publicity, even though the actual situation may not have improved much. So a great way for individuals to get involved is to spread the word (online or in your community!) Also, you can get involved in World Refugee Day on June 20th, or you could also donate online to the UNHCR.
Do you know any other ways to help migrants and refugees struggling to make their way in South Africa? Leave them in the comments section below!
Katie Arango
Program Director, Argentina:Katie, a US native, had traveled to Buenos Aires on several extended trips before the citys lure became too strong and she decided to call it home. Long fascinated by the global scene, Katie earned a degree in International Studies from Miami University and spent time studying and living in Madrid, Spain. She then worked in marketing for an international board game company followed by a brief foray as an online community editor for several websites before joining the Connect-123 team. Still a tourist at heart herself, Katie loves watching newcomers discover the charm of Buenos Aires and takes great pleasure in helping them make the most out of their work and volunteer opportunities while experiencing everything this dynamic city has to offer.
Here’s an article from the Washington Post that talks about this same issue facing South Africa! http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-africa-takes-steps-to-cope-with-influx-of-asylum-seekers/2012/04/12/gIQAyp2kCT_story.html