The unheard voices of professional Black migrant women in South Africa: the hidden layers of exclusion and marginalisation
“I was surprised at your topic because I feel like we are sort of the forgotten people in this work…people overlook us…I was quite surprised and interested that someone is actually wanting to listen to us and our experiences.” (Esther) When we talk about migration and human mobility in Africa, the stories we often hear are shaped through precarity: forcibly displaced, illegal migrants, informal labour, undocumented women, and a constant...
Layers of (Un)Belonging: Zine-Art Research with Migrant Youth Leaving Alternative Care in Cape Town
"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 feel like I do not belong anywhere." These words, written by Rebecca on the last page of her ‘zine’, capture the profound alienation felt by many young migrants navigating life after leaving alternative care. Rebecca, 17, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), came to...
Operation Dudula Ruled Unlawful: What the Court Decided
The South African High Court ruled that Operation Dudula’s actions are unlawful and unconstitutional, affirming that only police and immigration officers may request identity documents. The court has interdicted Operation Dudula and its leaders from demanding passports, intimidating or assaulting foreign nationals, engaging in hate speech, blocking access to healthcare or schools, unlawfully evicting people, interfering with traders or employment, and inciting others to do so. Operation Dudula must inform all its members of the ruling....
African Migration Trends, Q2 2025: Regional Dynamics and Global Implications
Migration across Africa in 2025 reflects one of the most dynamic and consequential population movements worldwide. While public discourse often canters on irregular journeys to Europe, the empirical evidence demonstrates a more complex reality, the vast majority of African migration remains intra-continental, shaped by overlapping drivers such as conflict, climate change, economic disparities, and evolving policy frameworks. Recent regional updates from North, West, and East Africa to Southern Africa, Egypt, and Yemen reveal how mobility patterns are being...
Key Performance Indicator Framework Research Workshop in Uganda: A Collaborative Approach to Refugee Integration
The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Framework Research Workshop, held from 15th to 16th July 2025 at the ARUA Centre in Kampala, Uganda, brought together stakeholders to discuss refugee integration through research, collaboration, and practical solutions. The workshop aimed to share experiences, present research findings, gather stakeholder feedback, and develop actionable recommendations for implementing a robust KPI framework. Day 1: Setting the Stage for Refugee Integration
Rooted in Exile: Preserving Culture in African Refugee Communities
Culture and tradition have long stood as pillars of African society, shaping the identities, behaviours, and worldviews of individuals and communities alike. For African children and adults, these elements are not merely ceremonial, they inform social structures, define spiritual beliefs, transmit knowledge, and offer meaningful frameworks for addressing governance and environmental issues. Among displaced populations, however, these foundational elements often face erosion. Refugee camps and communities present a particular challenge to maintaining cultural integrity, Gregory Scarborough the author...
