Operation Vala Umgodi shows the ties between illegal migration and irregular mining, but should migrants be criminalized?
Operation Vala Umgodi exposes the connections between illegal migration and the coercion of migrants in South African mines. Launched earlier this year, it has led to the arrest of hundreds for the illegal extraction of minerals. Though initially aimed at curbing illegal mining, the operation has revealed deep ties between the extractive sector — especially the informal one — and the trafficking of migrants into South Africa. While effective in combating illegal mining, the treatment of...
Identity vs. Perception: the case of Chidimma Adetshina and South African opinion on migrants
The case of Chidimma Adetshina, who came under national scrutiny between August and September, sheds light on the levels of xenophobia and anti-immigration sentiment in South Africa. The 23-year-old model—born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and South African mother—was forced to withdraw from the "Miss South Africa" competition due to online abuse and the wave of hatred that followed her entry into the...
Insights and recommendations from the "The need to belong: pathways towards durable solutions" Conference
Between Wednesday, September 25, and Friday, September 27, we held the conference “The need to belong: pathways towards durable solutions”, focusing on the integration and documentation processes for young migrants and Children on the Move. The event highlighted the challenges related to social and school integration, as well as the acquisition of South African citizenship for unaccompanied minors.
July Press Review
International: Biden’s new immigration plan: How will it work? 19 June 2024 AlJazeera Just ahead of the United States Presidential election, which will take place in November of 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden has released a new plan regarding immigration policies. With immigration being a hot topic of concern in the United States, many suspect Joe Biden has made this policy suggestion just ahead of the election to secure more votes against his opponent, Donald...
June Press Review
International: Little protection for the vulnerable, even on major migration routes UNHCR UN News ,4 June 2024 The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) confirms that hundreds of thousands of people risk their lives to migrate from Sub-Saharan Africa in search of asylum. Migrants are without access to immediate assistance, leaving many to face unavoidable dangers such as trafficking and lack of shelter. Vincent Cochetel, the UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean, explains that the absence of critical...
May Press Review
National: South Africa election 2024: ‘You see skeletons’ - the deadly migrant crossing 4 April, 2024, BBC News Migrants continue to risk it all in order to seek asylum and opportunities in South Africa. With the influx of migrants typically traveling from Zimbabwe into South Africa, political tension and xenophobia are on the rise. The crossing of the Zimbabwean border into South Africa is dangerous due to wild animals and gangs of criminals that can be...
