Strengthening Migration Management Strategies in South Africa Can Promote Sustainable Social Cohesion

By: Lizzy Ofusori

Social cohesion involves the coming together of people to work and advance a common goal irrespective of their background and cultural beliefs. For a nation to be socially cohesive, it requires the cooperation of everyone in the community. The report has shown that social inclusion, social capital, and social mobility are three pillars of social cohesion that cannot be over-emphasized. Sustainable social cohesion is needed for the overall growth of a nation as it remains the major determinant factor for a democratic and peaceful nation. It is very important for the government to incorporate social cohesion as part of its policies in order to accommodate multiple identity groups resident in the country especially if there has been a history of hostility or conflict between different groups among her citizens. Recently in South Africa, the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a project document aimed at strengthening and enhancing social cohesion in South Africa. This development is in recognition of the importance of nation-building and the articulation of South Africa’s national identity as the country transit to a non-racial democracy. The project is expected to enhance the capacities of stakeholders in strengthening social cohesion at the national, provincial, and local government levels.

As a result of the industrialized economy and stable democratic institutions, South Africa attracts the largest number of migrants in Africa. Official estimates showed that South Africa hosts about 2.9 million immigrants which is about 5% of the entire population of 60 million people. This number may be more due to underreported data and unauthorized migrants, especially from the neighboring countries.  Statistics South Africa estimated that about 853,000 people migrated to the country between years 2016 and 2021. This is a slight reduction from the net immigration of 916,300 over the 2011-16 period but a dramatic increase from the 491,700 in the 2001-06 period. Reports showed that more than three-quarters of South Africa’s immigrants are from the African continent with 68% originating from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

With differences in ethno-cultural background, there is a need for social integration to prevent social tension. Migration management strategies can enhance and sustain social cohesion if given adequate attention and priority by the South African government. This is because migration affects the economic, cultural, and social aspects of society. If migration management strategies are greatly prioritized, social cohesion between the host communities and the migrants will be top-notch.

How strengthening migration management strategies can promote social cohesion in South Africa

• Improving socio-economic conditions: One of the reasons why people migrate is for better socio-economic opportunities. To promote social cohesion, the South African government can improve her socio-economic opportunities such as having access to her healthcare, employment, and educational facilities. This is expected to have a positive influence on both the migrants and host communities going forward.
• Enhancing the justice system: Access to the justice system is one of the ways migration management strategies can be promoted. It is on record that some of the South African migrants are prone to human rights abuses that endanger their lives with little or no access to the justice system that can protect and enforce their fundamental human rights. Strengthening the justice system as a support service for migrants is one of the migration management strategies that can be employed for effective social cohesion in South Africa.
• Societal inclusion of migrants: Inclusion of migrants which involves being integrated into the society through intercultural dialogue, language, and cultural training is another migration management strategy that can be employed by the South African government in fostering social cohesion. Activities that ensure the promotion of inclusiveness of migrants are capable of improving the sense of belonging and enhancing social cohesion within the host community.
• Avoidance of any form of discrimination: Tolerance is a very viable virtue that can foster social cohesion in any country including South Africa. Once there is tolerance, discrimination is bound to be relegated to the background. Social intolerance such as xenophobic attacks can significantly undermine social cohesion. Part of the migration management strategies includes sensitizing the host community on the benefits of diversity and the contributions made by migrants. It will be in the right order if the South African government can enact laws against discrimination and also establish grievance mechanisms that can enhance respect and understanding among different communities.
• Strengthening of government policy: strengthening of government policies that have to do with migration is another form of migration management strategy that can help promote social cohesion. This strategy may include developing comprehensive policies and frameworks that are adjudged to be fair and transparent for the co-existence of both the migrant and the host community. Such policies are expected to address social apprehension or uncertainty among the migrants and also reduce social tensions between the host community and the migrants.
• Improvement in data collection: Promoting comprehensive and accurate data on the activities of migrants and their impact on the host community will assist the government in making informed decisions. This will also ensure evidence-based policymaking that bothers on the challenges and needs of the host community vis-à-vis the influence of migrants on the system. The data is also essential in the implementation of migration policies that promote sustainable social cohesion between the migrants and the community.
• Communal interaction: There is a need for continual interaction between the migrants and the host community that can promote social cohesion. Engaging local communities is crucial for successful migration management and social cohesion. South Africa can establish platforms for dialogue and participation, allowing host communities and migrants to collaborate on common issues and foster mutual understanding. Community-led initiatives, such as cultural exchanges and joint projects, can further strengthen social bonds and promote cohesion.

In conclusion, strengthening migration management strategies in South Africa can promote the needed sustainable social cohesion. South African government can adopt inclusive policies such as improving socio-economic conditions, enhancing the justice system, societal integration of migrants, avoidance of any form of discrimination, strengthening government policies on migrants, improvement in data collection and communal interaction. These efforts are expected to foster sustainable social unity and contribute to the growth of a peaceful and prosperous South Africa.

Dr. Lizzy Oluwatoyin Ofusori is a postdoctoral research fellow at the School of Management, IT and Governance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. She writes in her capacity.