Celebrating international migrants

The City marked the United Nations' day for migrants with dances, poetry and a plea to respect their contributions to South Africa and to protect their human dignity.
TRADITIONAL dances and poems marked the celebration of International Migrants Day at Museum Africa on Tuesday, 20 December.

Ward 60 Councillor, Nokuthula XabaWard 60 Councillor, Nokuthula XabaHeld by the City, the theme of the event was "The plight and celebration of migrant women".

International migration is a growing phenomenon, noted Alphonse Munyaneza, senior regional community service officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and could make a positive contribution to development in countries of destination.

"We have an obligation to manage migration by making sure that we put in place policies that protect the rights of migrants," he said.

Munyaneza urged migrants to form associations that would enable them to contribute to development in the communities where they were staying.

The United Nations International Migrants Day is annually held on December 18 to recognise the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants worldwide.

Information was also disseminated to participants to help them understand their rights.

Ward 60 councillor Nokuthula Xaba said South Africa was committed to protecting human dignity.

"International Migrants Day is an opportunity to recognise the contributions made by millions of migrants to the well-being and economies of their countries," said Xaba.

Deputy chairperson of Joburg's Migrant Advisory Panel, Gaudence Uwizeye, a refugee who fled the conflict in Rwanda several years ago, spoke about the difficulties faced by refugee women while fleeing conflict in their countries.

Traditional dancers show off their cultureTraditional dancers show off their culture"The life of a refugee woman is often very hard as they face violence, abuse and torture," said Uwizeye. "We need to place ourselves in their shoes by helping them emotionally and physically."

She added that refugee women were often left powerless and unable to rebuild their lives afresh.

Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase encouraged migrants to break the sense of entitlement and work hard.

"If you are a refugee, stand up and make it happen," said Kabalira-Uwase.

Kabalira-Uwase first arrived in South Africa in 2001 after fleeing persecution in Rwanda.

Not knowing a single word of English, he started working as a car guard, before he was accepted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal to study physics.

He now works as an account executive for a local company.

"Refugees are human beings with potential to contribute to the society if given the chance," he said.

Thuli Mlangeni, assistant director in the City's human development directorate, said migration is a positive and empowering experience that contributes to both economic growth and human development.

"Migration is not evil -- it has a positive element," said Mlangeni. "Let us extend our hand and show kindness to our neighbours."

The UN first established International Migrants Day in 2000 as a part of a larger effort to disseminate information and raise awareness of the human rights and the fundamental freedoms held by migrants.

There are at present an estimated 214 million international migrants worldwide, an increase over the last 10 years from an estimated 150 million people in 2000.