Set against the backdrop of a burgeoning humanitarian crisis in Durban, where thousands of refugees were gathering at Sherwood Hall after being displaced from nearby homes, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted a webinar in June to commemorate World Refugee Month.
In keeping with the webinar’s theme of ‘courage’, Dr Normah Zondo, Executive Director of Corporate Relations at the University, highlighted the courage of refugees who, amid “profound uncertainty and adversity”, make the difficult decision to leave their homes and birth countries in search of safety. “We celebrate their strength, resilience and contributions to the communities in which they live,” said Zondo.
Facilitated by UKZN’s Dr Sheetal Soni, the webinar included an insightful keynote address by UKZN alumnus and governance, politics and development specialist Mr Lukhona Mnguni.
Referring to a proposed national shutdown planned for 30 June (called for by an anti-immigration group), which was 20 days away at the time of the webinar, Mnguni explored the theme of courage in relation to refugees in South Africa. “The drums of anger, vilification and the drums of persecution could well be at play, and how much more courage would you need then if you fled persecution and you are now being persecuted in the host country?” asked Mnguni.
Listing some of the reasons that make it difficult for people to remain in their home countries, including a “state of war, a state of violence and a state of conflict,” Mnguni said that while courage often has positive connotations, in this instance, we are “confronted with courage from a place of defeat, a place of loss and a place of giving up.”
He reflected on the concept of ‘economic refugees’ and also raised the possibility of displacement triggered by climate change.
Mr Thifulufheli Sinthumule, Executive Director of the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA), reflected on the realities that asylum seekers and migrants face and the courage required when leaving their homes and countries in pursuit of protection and sanctuary. “We are now reaching a very hostile situation in South African society and communities where poor service delivery has created a lot of anger amongst communities post-1994,” he said.
Sinthumule, who has extensive experience in refugee and migrant rights advocacy and protection, explained that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution for World Refugee Day to “honour the courage, strength and resilience of those who have been forcefully displaced from their home country”.
He commended UKZN for convening a successful, well-managed webinar during a difficult time.
Ms Yasmin Rajah reflected on celebrating 75 years of the UN Refugee Convention, “which has protected and saved the lives of millions and millions of refugees. It serves as the cornerstone for human rights and legal protection.”
Rajah, a recipient of a ‘Citation of Honour’ from the South African Human Rights Commission for her outstanding work in the refugee and migrant sector, echoed previous panellists, saying: “The system is currently broken. So, whilst we have very progressive legislation, the new amendments have actually brought about a process where we are failing to protect people who are fleeing persecution.”
Wrapping up the webinar, Ms Nokuthula van Dou, Manager for Internal Communications at the University, thanked everyone involved for making it topical and engaging. She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to internationalisation and reiterated the shared responsibility for building inclusive societies.
Click here to view the highly informative and engaging World Refugee Month Webinar.
Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Photographs: Supplied