Nelson Mandela Day 2023
Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash Each year, Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated on 18 July, celebrating the life and legacy of former President Nelson Mandela. Its purpose is to commemorate Mandela’s commitment to human rights on his day of birth and encourage people to take action to inspire change across the globe. The event originated in 2009, following a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It was inspired by calls by Mandela to...
Legal Stay Granted for Zimbabwean Migrants
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash On June 28th, the Pretoria High Court declared that the Minister of DHA’s decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) was “unlawful and unconstitutional.” The first exemption permit for Zimbabweans was established by South Africa in 2009 as the Dispensation of Zimbabwean Permit (DZP) to assist those fleeing political and economic instability (Mhaka, 2023). The permit was eventually reissued as the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP) and finally as the Zimbabwe...
Africa Day 2023
Photo by Ian Scheneider on Unsplash Africa Day falls on 25th May each year, with celebration events to mark the day around the country. Africa Day was established by the African Union and aims to celebrate African diversity and success and the cultural and economic potential of the continent. In Ireland, events to mark Africa Day are supported by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government’s programme for overseas development. When the Organisation of...
Health Access for Non-South African Nationals
Prepared by Vhuthuhawe Ramatsitsi Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash The rights of non-nationals to access the South African healthcare system is a complex matter. There is a clash between policies/laws and the actual implementation on the ground. The South African healthcare system struggles to provide sufficient medical care to any person, regardless of their nationality or status (Maphumulo & Bhengu, 2019). Although this is a fact, the government strives to provide health care access to people in South Africa,...
FILM Screening Events for Migrant and Refugees
SIHMA in collaboration with the SCCT and the St John Parish in Maitland will be conducting a series of film screening events with migrants and refugees. The films that are part of the work by STEPS, a Cape Town-based non-profit media company that works in the documentary space in Africa, connects filmmakers, broadcasters, funders and community-based organizations using documentary films as a tool for social change. The films that are going to be screened are part of...
SACBC Training for Pastoral Agents of Migration
The Southern Africa Catholic Bishop Conference has organised his traditional Training program on migration for pastoral agents, that took place at the Lumko Institute in Benoni (Johannesburg ) on the 27-31 March 2023. The Training involved coordinators of desks for pastoral care of migrants and refugees and Caritas operators from different dioceses of 5 countries: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique. The main objectives of the 4 days course were: 1. To share experiences on the responses...
