Researching Human Migration across Africa

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OUR VISION

An Africa where the human rights of people on the move are ensured and their dignity is promoted

What we do

AHMR Journal

Read and download the newest issues of our accredited journal: African Human Mobility Review (AHMR)

AHMR Online Journal

Research Requests

If you are a scholar or student interested in conducting research at SIHMA or SCCT with our staff or clients, check our guidelines

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Atlas of African Migration

Discover human mobility across Africa with migration profiles detailing the demographics, patterns, and history of each country

COMING SOON

Volunteer at SIHMA

Join our Volunteer Program and help make a difference!

WHO WE ARE

Established in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2014, the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA) conducts research that contributes to informed policy-making and promotes the rights and dignity of migrants and refugees in Africa.

Download the SIHMA brochure

Our Mission

To conduct and disseminate research that contributes to the understanding of human mobility and informs policies that ensure the rights and dignity of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Africa.

BLOG ON THE MOVE

Layers of (Un)Belonging: Zine-Art Research with Migrant Youth Leaving Alternative Care in Cape Town

Nov 11, 2025

"I do not feel I belong anywhere. I do not belong here, I am not from here. I am nowhere. I am not from this country. I am not from this planet. I just...

Crossing Borders: Redefining African Migration Through Storytelling

South Africa's National Dialogue: A Model for Inclusive Governance?

Invisible Labour, Visible Impact: Rethinking Migration Policy and Precarity in South Africa

Research Request

The staff at SIHMA and Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town value the interest shown by students, academics, and other researchers who seek the assistance of our organisations to aid their studies/research projects. Please note that only high-quality, novel, and methodologically sound proposals will be considered. You can complete the application form by clicking on the button below. Please read all related information carefully.

RESEARCH REQUESTS

Journal AHMR AND Last Publications

AHMR volume 11 number 2 May-August 2025

AHMR volume 11 number 1 January-April 2025

AHMR volume 10 number 3 September-December 2024

Online Issues

Pathways of wellbeing and (un)belonging: Understanding the experience of migrant youth in alternative care and recently out of care in Cape Town

SIHMA Annual Report 2023

Border towns and spaces of (in)visibility

Explore More Narratives

Narratives of Migration in Africa | Episode 5: Glodine’s Journey

In this episode, Glodine shares her journey from Zambia to South Africa...

Jun 09, 2025

Narratives of Migration in Africa | Episode 4: Growing Up as a Migrant in South Africa

In this episode, we explore the experiences of second-generation migrants in South Africa through...

Jun 06, 2025

Narratives of Migration in Africa | Episode 3: Naomi’s Story

In this episode, Miss Naomi shares her inspiring journey from Zimbabwe to South Africa, navigating challenges, resilience, and the pursuit...

Jun 05, 2025

Narratives of Migration in Africa | Episode 2: A Mother's Journey

Sandrina Samba Bulimba shares her experience growing up in the eastern part of the...

Jun 04, 2025

The Night Trains by Charles van Onselen

Introduction The Night Trains: Moving Mozambican Miners to and from the Witwatersrand...

May 23, 2025

Narratives of Migration in Africa | Episode 1: Beyond Borders

An unforgettable journey of resilience, sacrifice, and survival. Moffo Christian Foo never sought...

May 21, 2025

Media and galleries

Pathways of wellbeing and (un)belonging - CANVAS of the Youth

Narratives: Pathways of wellbeing and (un)belonging What is the advantage of using a participatory art-based approach when doing group work with youth? This was the main focus of...

May 28, 2025

A Graffiti from Scalabrini, March 2020

WELCOME, PROTECT, PROMOTE and INTEGRATE PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Our entrance in fact now is welcoming all SCCT’ and SIHMA’ customers with an artwork of a young South African artist, Jared,...

Apr 14, 2020

NOREC Workshop in Nairobi (Kenya), February 2020

On February 20 and 21, SIHMA and Cultural Video Africa met for a workshop with NOREC (the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation), an executive body...

Mar 01, 2020

SACBC TRAINING COURSE in Hazyview, July 2019

SACBC TRAINING COURSE ON MIGRATION FOR PASTORAL AGENTS - Hazyview (Mpumalanga) Jul 2019 In partnership with the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, the Migrant and...

Aug 15, 2019

25 years of Scalabrini in Africa, June 2019

25 years of Scalabrini in Africa In 2019 the Congregation of Missionaries of St Charles, commonly known as Scalabrinian Fathers, will celebrate the silver jubilee, 25 years of their presence and service...

Jun 30, 2019

Bridges Beyond Borders Project, May 2019

Bridges Beyond Borders is a project, a meeting of innovative technology and interactive education, of the Fondazione Centro Studi Emigrazione of Rome (CSER), in collaboration with the Scalabrini Communication Office. SIHMA offered...

Jun 15, 2019

Lawrence House Symposium, June 2019

On 5 June 2019, the Lawrence House, Scalabrini’s youth and child care centre, hosted a symposium to reflect and share knowledge around the concept of young...