During the Engangeni Ngesango Summit on Undocumented Foreign Nationals held in Durban, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, championed a firm, lawful, and humane approach to managing undocumented migration. Premier Ntuli emphasised that South Africa must confront the realities of undocumented migration while steadfastly upholding the nation's core values of human dignity, constitutionalism, and Ubuntu.
Challenging misconceptions
The Premier explicitly rejected attempts to label South Africans as xenophobic or Afrophobic. He noted that the country's challenge lies in managing migration in a sustainable and orderly manner that protects the rights and security of everyone living within South Africa's borders. Furthermore, Premier Ntuli stated that there must be a clear distinction between legitimate concerns regarding undocumented migration and prejudice toward foreign nationals.
Insights from community engagement
Reflecting on the provincial government's Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla programme launched in 2024, the Premier noted that the 7th Administration prioritised direct engagement with communities, workplaces, and border facilities to understand the situation on the ground rather than relying solely on policy debates. These engagements revealed that citizens are not driven by hostility but are instead calling for the enforcement of the law and institutional accountability.
A path toward actionable solutions
Addressing the global nature of migration, Premier Ntuli stressed that sustainable solutions require improved border management, effective domestic governance, and stronger regional cooperation. He underscored that the summit was designed as a working platform to produce a tangible Programme of Action rather than a symbolic event.
Premier Ntuli concluded by calling on all sectors, including government, business, and civil society, to transform dialogue into action, ensuring a migration framework that protects the interests of citizens and the values of South Africa's democracy.