UKZN Hosts High Level Talks on Managing International Migration

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Managing international migration took centre stage during a high level dialogue held on UKZN’s Westville campus.

The dialogue, an initiative of the national Department of Home Affairs and UKZN, focused on the National Development Plan (NDP) and the African Development Agenda, 2063.

Minister of Home Affairs Hlengiwe Mkhize said the talks would assist in developing a new policy framework and programme for the management of international migration.

Mkhize emphasised the importance of dealing with the matter head on. ‘The world today is ravaged by various challenges including political instability, civil wars, terrorism, poverty and economic instability.

‘This leads to sizable numbers of people fleeing their countries of origin to countries in which they will feel safe and in some cases be able to work for their families,’ she said.

Mkhize said the African Union Agenda 2063 was a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the African continent over the next 50 years. ‘Rooted in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance, Agenda 2063 provides a robust framework for addressing past injustices and for making the 21st Century the African Century.’

She quoted former AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who had said: ‘We developed Agenda 2063 to galvanise and unite in action all Africans and the Diaspora around the common vision of a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africa.

‘Importantly, Agenda 2063 builds on and seeks to accelerate the implementation of continental initiatives that are aimed at achieving economic growth and sustainable development,’ said Mkhize.

The MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works in the KZN Legislative Assembly, Mr Ravi Pillay - speaking on behalf of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Willies Mchunu - said: ‘As globalisation, travel and information communications technology have turned our world into a global village, as economic shocks and booms affect all of us, and as diseases such as HIV and AIDS and Ebola know no borders, the imperative for African integration has become even more urgent in today’s world.’

Pillay emphasised the importance of social cohesion and strengthening relations between the people of KwaZulu-Natal and other countries in Africa and around the world. ‘We must rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and strength of solidarity amongst African people. We need to use the series of the international migration dialogue to remind each other that our fate is bound together,’ said Pillay.

The dialogue included a panel discussion featuring former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Judge Navi Pillay; African History Educator, Yaa Ashantewaa Archer-Ngidi; UKZN lecturer Mr Maropeng Mpya; UKZN student Mr James Ndlovu, and Deputy Director-General: Immigration Services, Mr Jackson McKay.

The panel members provided valuable insight and various perspectives on international migration and, with Mkhize, fielded a number of questions from the audience, including issues around challenges faced by international students.

UKZN Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Albert van Jaarsveld welcomed delegates and wished them well in their deliberations.

Words: Raylene Captain Hasthibeer 

Photographs: Albert Hirasen