Reconstitution of South Africa’s Immigration Advisory Board: A Policy Shift
In a significant policy development, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, has announced the reconstitution of the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), marking its first operational presence in more than a decade. This initiative seeks to strengthen immigration governance through structured policy recommendations and regulatory compliance (Department of Home Affairs, 2025).
The celebration of St. Scalabrini
The celebration of St. Scalabrini occurs annually on June 1st. Similar to the previous years, the event was hosted at the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town, uniting the various Scalabrini Network of organisations in the city, including the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town, Lawrence House, SIHMA, and the Missionaries of St. Charles Scalabrinian, and totaled over fifty participants. The celebration highlighted the values of St. Scalabrini, which included a dedication to refugees and people experiencing poverty, a...
SIHMA Press Review for May 2025
South Africa 29 May 2025 Republic of South Africa Cabinet approves National Labour Migration Policy 2025 White Paper The National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) White Paper 2025 has been approved by the South African Cabinet to regulate the movement and employment of foreign nationals. The policy introduces employment quotas for documented...
Lost in Transit: The Silent Victims of Human Smuggling in Ghana
Migration in Africa remains a deeply complex issue, often entangled with human smuggling and trafficking. Economic hardships, armed conflict, and natural disasters drive high migration rates, making Ghana a pivotal transit point for global smuggling operations. Vulnerable migrants, recruited through social media and personal referrals, frequently fall prey to exploitation and abuse. Organised Criminal Networks Criminal syndicates, such as the Transporters gang, charge migrants between $2,000 and $10,000 for...
Empowering Migrant Communities Through Creativity, Digital Technology, and Outreach
SIHMA has successfully completed a series of videos celebrating the creativity, resilience, and talent within migrant communities. These videos will be available on SIHMA’s website and featured in the initiatives Narratives on Human Mobility and Atlas of African Migration. Through this project, participants have gained technical skills and increased confidence in self-expression, strengthening both training and outreach efforts. Looking ahead, SIHMA remains committed to engaging with migrants across southern Africa, exploring the role of...
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Western Cape High Court Declares Provisions of Refugees Act Unconstitutional
The Western Cape High Court has delivered a groundbreaking judgment, declaring key provisions of the Refugees Act and its regulations unconstitutional. The ruling, brought by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and Lawyers for Human Rights, challenges policies that denied asylum seekers access to the system, leading to their arrest and deportation without due process. Key findings include the invalidation of provisions that excluded individuals on procedural grounds and regulations that barred most new asylum seekers...