Immigration

Love and marriage in the midst of hateful xenophobia

Not even a series of xenophobic attacks in the city of Pietermaritzburg could stop the preparations for an Ethiopian man and South African woman to tie the knot. 27-year-old Thandeka Mkhwanazi and Mali Wondawock, 26, hosted neighbours and residents at their home in Cinderella Park at their Umembeso ceremony on Saturday.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 20 April 2015

Living in constant fear of attack in Pietermaritzburg

Foreign nationals in the townships of Greater Edendale in Pietermaritzburg have closed their shops as xenophobic attacks spread. Shops were looted during the day and again at night on Wednesday.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 17 April 2015

Cape Town foreigners uneasy after Durban attacks

Authorities in Cape Town will “not just stand by” and watch if xenophobia spreads to the city again, says J P Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security. But foreigners living in the city are nervous.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 16 April 2015

Cape Town Zimbabwe Excellence Awards to be held on 4 April

The Cape Town Zimbabwe Excellence Awards seek to recognise Zimbabweans who have excelled in making a positive contribution to the Cape Town community in various ways, including sports, the media, academic prowess, business acumen and in the entertainment world. The awards will be announced at the Cape Town International Conference Centre on 4 April 2015.

Tariro Washinyira

Brief | 3 April 2015

Zimbabwean man stranded in prison for 20 days and counting

A Zimbabwean man, Simbarashe Mariga, has been in Pollsmoor prison for more than 20 days without appearing in court.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 2 April 2015

Police soft on crimes against foreigners, say Westlake residents

The murder of a 24-year-old Malawian has increased tensions in Westlake. Residents complain that the Kirstenhof police do not take attacks on foreigners seriously enough.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 25 March 2015

Down with xenophobia! say Khayelitsha organisations

To commemorate Human Rights Day and raise awareness about xenophobia, around 80 South Africans and Somalis marched in Khayelitsha Site C at an event organised by the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 March 2015

Zimbabweans remain unhappy with special permit process

After Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba gave the media an update on the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) in Midrand on Monday, Zimbabweans who spoke to GroundUp claim there were challenges with the ZSP which the minister did not address. These included delays and rejections.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 March 2015

Hope and hatred in South Africa: an interview with Jonny Steinberg

Civil war, betrayal and murder are what Asad Abdullahi left behind in his childhood to travel thousands of kilometres to the land of Mandela, the country of his dreams. But in South Africa he’d experience violence unlike anywhere else in Africa. Mandy de Waal speaks to Jonny Steinberg about his new book ‘A Man of Good Hope’.

Mandy de Waal

News | 17 March 2015

Western Cape human rights organisations respond to Philippi xenophobic violence

At a Western Cape Refugee and Migrant Forum at Scalabrini Centre on Thursday, several civil society organisations agreed to establish a ‘xenophobic response task team and forum’ in response to the recent Philippi xenophobic violence.

Tariro Washinyira

Brief | 13 March 2015

Philippi East foreigners say xenophobic hatred fuelled attacks

While community leaders in Philippi East's Marikana informal settlement quibble over the cause of Wednesday's attacks on foreign business owners, the victims testify to long-standing xenophobic undercurrents in the community.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 26 February 2015

Somali businessmen share their acumen with locals

Abdikadir Mohamed, the Western Cape Chairman of the Somali Association South Africa (SASA), responded to South African business people who accuse Somali owned businesses of questionable practices at a business skills sharing workshop held at Vuyiseka Secondary School in Philippi this week.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 February 2015

Parow police accused of abusing immigrants

On 6 February, Bernard Toyambi of People Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty (PASSOP) alleges his family was left traumatised after a group of more than 12 armed Parow Police officers broke into his house at midnight, claiming that they had received an anonymous call that there was a woman crying in his house.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 February 2015

How xenophobic violence turned Joseph Tau’s life upside down

“I heard a loud noise from the looters outside the supermarket,” recalls 76-year-old Joseph Tau. “I could hear footsteps on the roof and knew they were coming for us."

Mosa Damane

News | 4 February 2015

Delays with Home Affairs permits: Zimbabweans sent away from work

Three Zimbabwean men whose permits are pending have been told to leave their jobs at Touareg Tents in Capricorn Business Park and return only when they can prove they are legally in the country.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 27 January 2015

Returning Zimbabweans battle with bureaucracy

Zimbabweans who travelled to Zimbabwe before their Special Dispensation Permits were issued have complained of problems on their return to South Africa after the holidays.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 15 January 2015