Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town

Blocked IDs: How to write your own representations to Home Affairs

On 16 August 2024, the Minister of Home Affairs published a notice requiring everyone with a blocked ID to send reasons or representations explaining why their ID should not be cancelled (“cancelled” means permanently deleted from the from the National Population Register). The deadline to submit your reasons or representations is 15 September 2024.

Lawyers For Human Rights has put together a guide to help you write your own reasons and representations to Home Affairs.

Find the guide here: https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-resources/blocked-ids-how-to-write-your-own-representations-to-home-affairs/

This Saturday, 31 August, we come together to honor the victims of the Usindiso Building Fire in Marshalltown. Let's unite in solidarity and remembrance, forming a human chain around the Usindiso Building at 80 Albert St, Marshalltown.



Lawyers For Human Rights
Consortium for Refugees and Migrants South Africa (CoRMSA)
South African Refugee-Led Network
Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town
HIAS South Africa
JASS Southern Africa

We will be back in court on Tuesday, alongside Lawyers For Human Rights, to challenge the unlawful detention of asylum seekers at Refugee Reception Offices.

"An Ethiopian man who has been living and working in Diepsloot, Gauteng for nearly four years says he fears being arrested each time he walks out of his home. This is because he has been struggling for years to get legal asylum documents.

Ahmed, 24, (name changed to protect identity) said he arrived in South Africa during the lockdown in 2020 after running away from political unrest in his hometown of Tigray in Ethiopia, in which thousands of people, particularly young men, were killed.

Refugee reception offices were still closed when he arrived, so Ahmed could not immediately apply for asylum. In 2021, he submitted an application online but did not get a response.

He said he has been arrested by police on more than one occasion for not having the proper paperwork but is always released when he shows them proof that he is awaiting feedback on the application he submitted.

In 2023, Ahmed was arrested again and detained at the Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre. He travelled there to get answers about his pending application but was arrested instead. He was later released after being booked for another interview. He returned to the centre several times since then and is yet to get an asylum permit. “I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid of being deported because back home in Ethiopia it is not safe,” he said.

Another Ethiopian national from Diepsloot, Salmar (name changed to protect identity), arrived in South Africa in May 2024. Police detained him a few days after his arrival. He was released on bail after explaining his intention to apply for asylum.

He has also been to the refugee centre several times and was turned away each time without getting any help.

Ahmed and Salmar are among more than 10,000 asylum seekers and refugees who have sought help from Lawyers for Human Rights since 2020.

According to Daniel Sherrif, leader of the Ethiopian Community in Diepsloot, five new asylum seekers have been detained by police, while five others are being held at the Lindela Repatriation Center due to their inability to apply for asylum documents.

This is in addition to five other Congolese nationals also being held at Lindela because they have not been able to get help to apply for documents."

Asylum seekers fear arrest but can’t access documents Lawyers for Human Rights takes this issue to the High Court next month.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of a life at the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office. We stand behind Consortium for Refugees and Migrants South Africa (CoRMSA)'s call for the UNHCR to be included in the investigation process to ensure "that the investigators are informed of and would act on the state’s obligations to protect refugees and people seeking asylum in SA."

"According to the consortium, the incident reflects the “growing frustrations among asylum seekers, who have endured months of uncertainty and hardship while attempting to secure the documentation necessary to live with dignity in our country”.

“CoRMSA continues to stand in solidarity and work to protect the human rights of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants in SA while watchfully waiting for the outcome of the police investigation into this death of an innocent human seeking protection from the government through asylum processes,” it said."

Read the full article here:

Refugee advocacy group calls for UN to investigate stampede at Tshwane office One dies and 20 injured in incident at the Tshwane Refugee Reception Centre in Pretoria

Women’s Day 2024: “Striving Against All Odds”

On August 16th, we celebrated Women’s Day with the theme "Striving Against All Odds," joined by 98 participants. The day honoured the contributions of women in society. We welcomed guest speakers from various organisations, including the Somali Association of South Africa - SASA and Kwesu Organization.

Olivia Niyodusenga from the The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) discussed technology-driven approaches to combat gender-based violence and xenophobia. Naturotherapist Lorrein emphasised the importance of self-care and natural healing. Mam Patty from Kwesu inspired the audience with empowering messages.

The day was filled with moments of joy and celebration. Our modelling contestants added glamour, while our dynamic MC kept the energy high.

Thank you to our Leaders who handled decor, ushering, serving lunch, and making the day special. The event concluded with a delicious meal, prepared by our Hospitality sector team and Leadership group.

This Women’s Day was a beautiful celebration of the strength and resilience of the women we serve.

[[READ]] “Judge Dunstan Mlambo has slammed a firm of attorneys and an advocate for “cut and paste” work in cases involving refugees.” The judge has ordered them to pay legal costs from their own pockets

“It was clear from the six applications, and other similar applications which had previously come before the court, that Manamela MA Attorneys was running a “cottage industry”, preying on vulnerable refugees, many of whom could not speak English and were in custody, awaiting deportation.”

Read the full article here:

Judge slams lawyers who preyed on refugees Attorneys and advocate who did “a cut and paste job” for clients ordered to pay the costs from their own pockets

We are hiring an Advocacy Officer to assist with client intake, advice and alternatives to immigration detention advocacy.

Read more about the role and how to apply, here:

Current Vacancies - Scalabrini This page will give you more information about current volunteer vacancies, requirements and how to apply. Please note, all volunteer positions are unpaid.

This week, Scalabrini attended the annual meeting of the Southern African Nationality Network (SANN), which took place in Harare. SANN is a network that is "working towards universal access to the right to a nationality and prevention of statelessness."

The stories below explore the lives of individuals directly impacted by statelessness. Click through the images to read the stories of Khumbulani, Elizabeth, J.S and Lily.

Boxer Cindy Ngamba makes history at the Olympics! 🥊✨

Securing the first-ever medal for the Refugee Olympic Team, Cindy’s dominant quarterfinal win guarantees her at least a bronze in the her category. Her next bout on Thursday could lead to gold! 🥇

From overcoming immense challenges as a refugee to achieving Olympic success, Cindy’s story inspires us all.

Let’s continue to cheer for Cindy and all the other refugee athletes as they show the world what determination, resilience and hope look like!

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3YxVIER

“My motto is: Let every run that I do have an impact on the community.”

Pacific Mbela, originally from DRC, was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few years after arriving in South Africa. Five days after the surgery, the left side of his body was still paralysed - Pacific was told that he might never walk again.

Today, Pacific runs marathons to raise funds for charity! Next year, he will be running the Two Oceans Marathon to raise money for Groote Schuur Hospital. “They could not believe it. They are shocked about the money I am raising for them.

After what happened to me, I am just so grateful for my life, and I thank God for that. Coming out of this situation has allowed me to see life in a different way and to see how sometimes we do not appreciate life. So I ask myself every day what I am doing for others. I never ever thought that one day I could run. But now I run, and I do it for others”.

Read his full story here:https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/pacific-mbela-runs-for-charity/ fbclid=IwY2xjawEZrgxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSkA58qWIotrDaTHhfnbU5AdEIlqrQgYi8M_p7loIe6Sm43TbYlkTfMJxQ_aem_v9_-nTbOCa-IQzXoFKzOTw

Cape Town Barista Beats The Odds, Runs for Charity Pacific Mbela tackles charity runs after surviving having a tumour in his brain; Amy Maciver met up with him to learn more.

A notice from UNHCR Southern Africa

"Beware of scammers. UNHCR services are always free of charge.

If you need assistance in South Africa, dial our toll-free Helpline at 0800 100 030: Mon-Thu (9 am-4 pm), Fri (9 am-1 pm). For durable solutions, call on Wednesdays. For more info, visit https://bit.ly/3WscMtx"

Important Notice: Our Advocacy Team will be out of office tomorrow, 2 August. There will be no advocacy services on this day.

The team will be back in office next week and walk-in services will be back to normal from Tuesday, 6 August.

We thank you for your understanding ✨

Have you got questions about our programmes, our clients, and what changed for us in 2023? We are releasing our Annual Report for 2023, which explores the services, impact, finances and reflections of Scalabrini over the course of last year.

Read the full annual report here:

Scalabrini Centre releases 2023 Annual Report - Scalabrini The Scalabrini Centre has released its 2023 Annual Report. In this report you can read about our work, our strategy, our stories and more!

[SCALABRINI VACANCY]

We are looking to hire a Skills Hub Facilitator to actively engage with clients and facilitate tailored training interventions aimed at preparing them for successful integration into the labour market or entrepreneurship. This is achieved by enhancing the skills and competencies of clients, equipping them with the necessary tools for sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, this role involves providing consultation services to explore potential sponsorship opportunities for clients, as well as conducting comprehensive follow-up to ensure sustained progress and development.

Read more about the role, requirements and how to apply here:

Current Vacancies - Scalabrini This page will give you more information about current volunteer vacancies, requirements and how to apply. Please note, all volunteer positions are unpaid.

[[SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY]]
Call for Applications for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at the University of the Western Cape – Academic Year 2025

The Programme places a particular emphasis on reaching young women, refugees and forcibly displaced youth, and young people living with disabilities, who are encouraged to apply.

This scholarship will provide fully-funded opportunities for young Mastercard Foundation Scholars to study for
i) undergraduate qualifications or
ii) master’s degree qualifications

Follow this link for more information:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Call for Applications for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape – Academic Year 2025 The University of the Wes...

“It made me feel like I am grown – I am doing big people things”

Qascalinne took on the role of Skills Hub Intern. This is a dynamic role, which allowed Qascalinne to facilitate workshops, work reception, conduct client consultations, run events and more! “I never thought I would be facilitating big groups of people, and clients who were older than me. I had to learn how to approach them and get them engaged. That was a big deal for me! It made me feel like I am grown – I am doing big people things!”

Qascalinne speaks about all the many ways that the internship helped her develop, personally and professionally, while being held by a supportive team. From improving her communication, and setting boundaries, to building her confidence, Qascalinne has gained valuable skills to take with her into the workplace. “I have worked hard to build my foundation. Scalabrini has helped me grow professionally, build my skills, and grow in areas that I did not place enough importance on before.”

Qascalinne reflects on her internship being an “introduction to the work-life; how you are expected to behave, how to carry yourself and how to stand up for yourself.” The internship helped boost her “work confidence.” This is why Qascalinne would like to encourage all students to apply for internships; “even if you have six months left of studying, apply!” she says.

Coming full circle, from receiving help to helping people, Qascalinne keeps moving herself closer to her childhood dream. She says that she looks forward to applying all that she learned during her internship in her new role as Project Coordinator at RWS Africa.

Read the full article here: https://www.scalabrini.org.za/seizing-opportunities-education-and-internships/

Please note: The Scalabrini Centre will be closed on Friday, 19 July. The Scalabrini team will be attending a leadership session on this day.

We thank you for your understanding. The office will be open as normal on Monday, 22 July.

“From then on, it’s been a beautiful journey with Scalabrini”

Qascalinne was accepted to study a BA in Healthcare Management through Scalabrini’s UpLearn programme and graduated in 2023. UpLearn is the Scalabrini Centre’s higher education initiative and forms part of Southern New Hampshire Global Education Movement (SNHU-GEM) tuition-based academic scholarship programme for people who are refugees, migrants, and South Africans.

While Qascalinne was studying, she interned at IKhaya Le Langa - another step towards working in the NGO sector. Following graduation, the UpLearn team encourages students to apply for the internships available at Scalabrini, Qascalinne explains. “I wanted to continue in the NGO space so that I could grow and build my career. That is what motivated me to apply [for the internship]. The internship was a way to help build my skills and network. I wanted to put myself out there!”

Read the full article here: https://www.scalabrini.org.za/seizing-opportunities-education-and-internships/

Southern New Hampshire University

Qascalinne's story showcases the journey of someone driven by a desire to help others and determined to overcome obstacles. From a young age, she knew she wanted to work in the NGO sector, but financial challenges threatened to derail her plans. Qascalinne found her way to Scalabrini's UpLearn programme, where she pursued her studies and gained valuable experience through a Scalabrini internship. Her journey is a reminder of the importance of seizing opportunities and staying committed to your goals.

"It is important to me to be able to help people.”

Qascalinne always knew that she wanted to work in the NGO sector and be part of a team that makes a real impact on people's lives. “It is important to me to be able to help people. Growing up, my family received so much help and I would not be where I am today without it.” This dream was solidified after a volunteering stint in Grade 10 at a psychiatric hospital and propelled Qascalinne in the direction of studying psychology.

After school, she was accepted to study at the South African College of Applied Psychology. She now needed to find the money to cover her fees. Growing up with parents who were both business owners, hard work and determination were in her genes.

To raise the fees, Qascalinne and her mother started selling items, door-to-door. “We were raising funds, but I could only get enough for the registration fees. I really didn’t know what to do.” This brought Qascalinne’s plans to a halt. Until her uncle received an email about UpLearn and sent it to Qascalinne to apply.

Read her full story here: https://www.scalabrini.org.za/seizing-opportunities-education-and-internships/

700,000 South African IDs blocked The Department of Home Affairs has failed to unblock 700,000 South African identity documents, leaving citizens without a valid ID.

What is the impact of Integration Pathways? Check out their 2023 Impact Report >> https://rb.gy/6wfpya

The Scalabrini Centre will be closed tomorrow, 11 July, due to the weather and storm warnings.

Our office will be open again on Friday, 12 July. We hope everyone is staying safe.

Attention Parents in South Africa:
It is very important to make sure to document your children as soon as possible!

It has come to our attention, that many young people who want to get study visas - after years of living in South Africa without documents - are getting their student visas rejected because of this.

While children can access basic education without documents, this doesn’t apply to university, college or any other education institutions after grade 12.

Important: If your child doesn’t have documents during school in South Africa, they won’t be able to get a student visa after grade 12.

There are different pathways to documentation in South Africa. We will be sharing more information about this soon. In the meantime, if you need more information about visa and permit options for your child, you can see the Centre for Child Law’s ‘How To Get Documented’ booklet. Go to page 27 and 28 in the booklet.
https://centreforchildlaw.co.za/wordpress21/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ENGLISH-How-To-Get-Documented-A-step-by-step-guide-to-getting-birth-certificates-citizenship-documents-and-immigration-visas-for-children-in-South-Africa.-2.pdf

The article discusses the severe and escalating displacement crises in Africa, highlighting that 37% of the world's 120 million forcibly displaced people are in Africa.

Chronic underreporting and underfunding exacerbate these crises, with 9 of the 10 most neglected displacement crises occurring in Africa. "In the DRC, underfunding resulted in a 79% reduction in protection monitors documenting human rights violations. The Ugandan operation has halted health services and hygiene kits for women since 2022. In South Sudan, flood protection kits and upgraded drainage systems were cancelled."

The international community's apathy and restrictive policies worsen the situation, leaving millions of people who are refugees without adequate support.

Read more here:

African refugees neglected as crises worsen | ISS Africa World Refugee Day is a reminder that Africa and the world cannot peacefully maintain the current pace of displacement.

What it is the impact of our UNITE Youth programme? Check out their latest impact report!

"At UNITE, we began 2023 with a bang. We transformed words into action; we put activism into practice; and, for the first time, UNITE was more visible and involved with communities where most of our youth resides.

Our community involvement led to new partnerships with impactful organisations working on the ground and gave our youth fresh perspectives on how they can be involved, have a say in their community, and influence decisions by local leaders, organisations and government representatives. They are now more aware of where they should seek help within their communities.

A positive shift in 2023 was the significant increase in the number of boys joining the programme. Historically, boys have been reluctant to involve themselves with programmes at their schools, but this year was different. Our relationship with UNITE parents has grown stronger, with those who work for NGOs collaborating with us. Our partner schools have also benefitted from our relationship with NGOs that have run sessions at our schools."

Read UNITE's full impact report here:https://www.scalabrini.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/UNITE-Impact-2023-1.pdf

We encourage you to apply for our tuition-based scholarship to study towards a Bachelor’s degree.

Our Uplearn project in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University's Global Education Movement (SNHU-GEM) is offering you the chance at a Tuition-based Scholarship with the opportunity to study a competency-based degree.

You can get a Bachelor of Arts Degree in:
Operations and Logistics
Communications Management
Healthcare Management

Please follow this link to read more information and to apply!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9zpGE5Dcchk6F1zPBXgM1HB8AJ2CPr84Jmv1YUJ8Bq4r6Rg/viewform?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2jXjtT8X8IhPW2CJAhyNgJXFUm_G2vPb-LubnWilKbPAyf71GA9-3ox-k_aem_gB6h0ZstTuBUaXnhFMB7og

[[READ]] "When you are displaced, your home is taken from you. How can you begin to form your identity? How does being forced out on one side and rejected on the other make you feel?"

JJ Bola and his family fled the DRC in the early 1990s. Drawing from his own experience, Bola looks at what displacement can do to someone's sense of belonging and identity. He explains how writing and storytelling helped him figure out his reality and feelings.

"I am a refugee with a British passport.

Many will see this as contradictory, and possibly question how such a statement could even exist. It is like saying you are both hot and cold at the same time, hungry and full, dry and wet. Is this possible? Can you have a home and be homeless at the same time?

This statement is a question of belonging, and for most people, you either belong or you don’t. However, for refugees and displaced people, it is tacitly true that you are both, and sometimes neither."

Read the full written piece here:

We are from here, but not from here Novelist JJ Bola on being a refugee with a British passport and what that placenessless means for a search for identity.

In early June, the Scalabrini Centre came together for our annual celebration of Scalabrini Day. It was an opportunity to remember our history and the work of John Baptist Scalabrini. It was also a time to have fun, as each team put together a performance, highlighting the work that they do. Being a busy centre, with big teams, these moments are important for us to get together, and reflect on where we have come from and where we are going.