“Majority of South African artists who perform in other African countries are seeing their gigs getting cancelled. One artist reached out to me and said all her gigs were cancelled.” ~ South Africa 🇿🇦 Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi

“Majority of South African artists who perform in other African countries are seeing their gigs getting cancelled. One artist reached out to me and said all her gigs were cancelled.” ~ South Africa 🇿🇦 Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi

A humanitarian crisis is brewing involving Malawian migrants in South Africa. More than 7,000 Malawian nationals are currently sheltering at Sherwood Hall in Durban, waiting for a way home. Many fled after anti-migrant attacks, abandoning homes, jobs, and possessions. Others are leaving out of fear, uncertain whether it is safe to remain. Many families are sleeping in overcrowded conditions, relying on sporadic assistance while hoping for repatriation. Only eight buses have been sent so far, leaving thousands stranded. They have now reportedly been told that no additional funds are available for their repatriation and that those who cannot be transported may be taken to Lindela. Lindela Repatriation Centre, located near Krugersdorp in Gauteng, is South Africa’s main holding facility for undocumented foreign nationals awaiting deportation or repatriation to their home countries. Behind every number is a human story. Mothers worried about their children, fathers who have lost everything, elderly people with nowhere to go, and young people facing an uncertain future. Migration debates often focus on politics, borders, and statistics. But this is ultimately a humanitarian issue. Regardless of nationality, no one should be left stranded, vulnerable, and without hope. The governments of both South Africa and Malawi, together with humanitarian organisations, need to urgently address this situation and ensure that those wishing to return home can do so safely and with dignity. As thousands of vulnerable Malawians wait in uncertainty for assistance and repatriation, President Arthur Peter Mutharika is currently in South Africa for a routine medical check-up, a contrast that m raises questions among many about government priorities and the capacity of African states to care for their citizens both at home and abroad.