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Our Story: Building a United South Africa

We Stand for a United South Africa Alive with Possibilities.

Manifesto Excerpt

We, the founders and members of Migrants South Africa, are a coalition of individuals, communities, and organizations united by a single, unshakeable belief: that the promise of a free, democratic, and non-racial South Africa must be a reality for every person who lives within its borders. We stand against the violence, prejudice, and hatred that seek to divide us, and we are committed to building a new narrative of unity, dignity, and shared prosperity.
The birth of a democratic South Africa in 1994 was a triumph of the human spirit. It was celebrated as a victory over institutionalized racism and the promise of a nation "united in diversity". A progressive Constitution was adopted, enshrining principles of human dignity and equality before the law for all people, not just citizens. Yet, this triumph has been marred by a cruel paradox: since 1994, a new form of violence has emerged, one that targets African and Asian migrants and has tragically become a "perennial feature" in post-Apartheid South Africa. This is not a random crime; it is a systemic problem. Like the Pass Laws of the Apartheid regime, which controlled the movement and economic life of Black populations, contemporary xenophobia in South Africa functions as a new form of de-facto exclusion and disenfranchisement. It is a "non-racial xenophobia" that is racially selective, targeting Black and Asian migrants. It will only be a matter of time Europians, Americans, Middel Easterns, etc will be added to this target if we all South Africans and Migrants dont stand together now to defeat this "HATE". The narrative that xenophobia is a natural response to unemployment and crime is a dangerous causal fallacy. It is a "scapegoating process" where systemic failures—decades of state neglect, corruption, and a devastatingly high unemployment rate—are blamed on a small minority of the population. The violence, therefore, is not about competition for resources, but about a deep societal failure to provide for all. Our struggle is not just for migrants; it is for the very soul of South Africa itself.

Vision

Empowering migrant communities to thrive in a just and inclusive South Africa.

Mission

Our mission is to achieve equity, social inclusion, and human rights for migrants in South Africa by advancing policies and practices that expand protections, eliminate xenophobia and discrimination, and ensure access to healthcare, education, training, and economic security, while strengthening traditional family values that foster strong, resilient families and a thriving community.

Core Values

  • Equality: We believe that all individuals, regardless of nationality, deserve equal rights, opportunities, and treatment under the law and in society, as guaranteed to "everyone" by the Constitution. This encompasses political, educational, social, and economic equality.
  • Justice: The pursuit of justice for all migrants, irrespective of their status, is central to our identity. This includes legal justice, social justice, and economic justice.
  • Dignity and Respect: We affirm the inherent dignity and worth of every person, rejecting any practice or attitude that diminishes or disrespects individuals based on their nationality.

Our Journey

1994: Birth of Democracy

The birth of a democratic South Africa in 1994 was a triumph of the human spirit. It was celebrated as a victory over institutionalized racism and the promise of a nation "united in diversity".

2025: Migrants SA Founded

Founded in 2025 by migrants and advocates, Migrants SA addresses post-apartheid xenophobia's paradox. It focuses on membership and support services, evolving to branches for comprehensive empowerment.

Our Pillars

Pillar 1: Legal Justice and Accountability

This pillar focuses on leveraging South Africa's constitutional democracy to establish legal protections, combat impunity, and secure justice for all migrants.

High-Level Agenda: Defending Human Rights in the Courts, Holding the State Accountable, Combating Impunity, The Status Litigation. Core Objectives: Legal Equality and Due Process, Dismantle Legal Discrimination, Enactment and Enforcement. Strategy: Two-tiered legal strategy with priority litigation, collaborative advocacy with LRC/LHR, etc, digital rapid response. Policies: Legal Aid Access Policy, Zero-Impunity Policy, Public Accountability Policy. Programs: Strategic Litigation Program, Legal Aid Clinic Network, Detention Monitoring Unit.

Pillar 2: Socio-Political

This pillar is dedicated to political empowerment, civic engagement, and positioning Migrants SA as the central unifying force for all migrant-related advocacy in the nation.

High-Level Agenda: Building a Unified Front, Countering Hate Narratives, Fostering Public Education and Awareness. Core Objectives: Political Representation and Accountability, Social Harmony, Public Awareness and Advocacy. Strategy: Unifying "umbrella" for advocacy, co-advocacy with KAAX, digital counter-narrative campaign, decentralized chapter rollout, value-driven membership. Policies: Co-Advocacy Protocol, Membership Vetting Policy, Media and Communications Policy.

Pillar 3: Economic

This pillar focuses on achieving financial security and sustainability for migrant communities while actively working to eliminate economic disparities that fuel xenophobia.

High-Level Agenda: Promoting Economic Inclusion, Addressing the Root Causes. Core Objectives: Economic Sustainability and Security, Entrepreneurship Support, Workforce Integration. Strategy: Advocate for migrant entrepreneurship, dismantle barriers, promote financial literacy. Policies: Economic Inclusion Policy. Programs: Structured programs for technical assistance, mentorship, access to capital, workforce integration advocacy.

Pillar 4: Family

This pillar strengthens traditional family values to foster strong, resilient families and a thriving migrant community, addressing systemic issues impacting family stability.

High-Level Agenda: Promoting family resilience, providing support for family reunification, and advocating for policies that protect migrant families from xenophobic violence. Core Objectives: Family Security and Unity, Resilient Family Programs, Elimination of Family Disparities. Strategy: Programs for family mentorship, legal aid for reunification, community workshops on family values. Policies: Family Protection Policy, Resilient Family Framework. Programs: Family Support Network, Reunification Litigation Aid, Resilience Workshops.

Pillar 5: Youth

This pillar empowers migrant youth through leadership, mentorship, and programs to build courage and resilience, preparing them for active roles in society.

High-Level Agenda: Fostering youth leadership, providing mentorship, and engaging youth in anti-xenophobia campaigns. Core Objectives: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Resilience Building, Civic Engagement for Youth. Strategy: Youth mentorship programs, leadership training, collaboration with universities for programs. Policies: Youth Vetting and Engagement Policy. Programs: Youth Leadership Academy, Mentorship Network, Anti-Xenophobia Youth Campaigns.

Pillar 6: Education & Training

This pillar ensures access to education and skills training for migrants, promoting empowerment and integration through knowledge and awareness.

High-Level Agenda: Advocating for education access, providing training programs, and fostering awareness campaigns. Core Objectives: Educational Equality, Skills Development, Awareness and Integration. Strategy: Partnerships for training, advocacy for policy changes, digital education resources. Policies: Education Access Policy. Programs: Skills Training Workshops, Education Advocacy Program, Awareness Campaigns.

Join Migrants SA

Migrants SA is more than an organization — it’s a movement for justice, equality, and unity. Become a member or volunteer and help shape a South Africa that welcomes all.

Become a Member Volunteer

Migrants SA — Who We Are & Why We Exist

Migrants South Africa (Migrants SA) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and empowering migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers across South Africa. We work to uphold human dignity, equal access to justice, and social inclusion for all displaced communities through legal aid, education, advocacy, and economic empowerment.

Rooted in the belief that every person deserves a fair opportunity to live and thrive, our programs combine practical services (such as legal support, healthcare access, and skills development) with community-building initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between migrants and locals.

Our Core Objectives

  • Provide affordable legal and immigration support to protect migrant rights.
  • Promote access to healthcare, education, and social welfare for migrant families.
  • Empower migrants economically through employment and business development programs.
  • Foster youth empowerment through education, skills training, sports, and arts initiatives.
  • Campaign against xenophobia and promote positive intercultural dialogue.
  • Offer crisis response during emergencies such as deportations or community attacks.

Our work is guided by biblical principles such as Proverbs 31:8–9 (NIV) — “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.” This moral foundation fuels our dedication to advocacy, compassion, and justice for all migrants.

Explore Our Key Program Areas

Learn more about our specialized support services and how you can get involved:

Every initiative contributes to our broader vision of a South Africa where migrants are safe, self-reliant, and included in the nation’s development story. Join us in this mission by becoming a member, volunteering, or donating to sustain our impact.

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