Download PDFOn Saturday, 24 January 2026, a community consultation meeting was held at St Francis Church Hall in Yeoville, Johannesburg. The meeting brought together South Africans, migrants, refugees, and activists to collectively read, discuss, and understand the revised Draft White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, released by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on 12 December 2025. The White Paper is currently open for public comment, with written submissions due by 15 February 2026.
The purpose of the meeting was to read the White Paper together and to identify problem areas that are exclusionary and disconnected from the lived realities of migrants and working-class communities. During the meeting, participants expressed deep concern that the proposed policy prioritises economic interests and capital accumulation over people, dignity, and human rights.
One major concern raised was the proposed points-based system for citizenship and migration, which was also strongly criticised. Participants said the system places money, formal qualifications, and perceived “skills” above humanity, social contribution, and lived experience. This system was seen as favouring the elite and wealthy, while excluding poor, working-class African migrants who may not have access to formal education or recognised qualifications. One participant said, “South Africa appears more interested in attracting investors, tourists, and high-income individuals than in protecting human rights.”
This critique speaks directly to existing class inequalities and indicates that humans are increasingly measured by the economic value they are assumed to bring to the country.
Another major issue discussed was the “first nation” principle, which would require asylum seekers to remain in the first country they enter and would allow South Africa to turn people away if they move onward. This principle was strongly opposed, with participants pointing out that many neighbouring countries do not offer real safety, legal protection, or access to sustainable economic opportunities. Forcing people to remain in countries where they may continue to suffer was described as another serious human rights infringement.
Concerns were also raised about the move toward increased digitalisation. While participants acknowledged the potential benefits of digital systems, they warned that such measures may further exclude people who lack documentation or stable access to technology. Importantly, participants noted that this exclusion would not only affect migrants, but also many undocumented or marginalised South Africans, particularly those living in poor and working-class communities.
Critics further highlighted the openly anti-migrant tone of the White Paper, which repeatedly refers to “defending the nation” without clearly defining who belongs to that nation. “This raises serious questions: who is being protected, and from whom?” said one participant during the meeting.
The Yeoville consultation meeting also highlighted the importance of community-led spaces such as this one. These forums allow ordinary people, especially those most affected by policy decisions, to collectively analyse government proposals, share lived experiences, and develop informed and collective responses. In a context where policymaking is often disconnected from everyday realities, such meetings are essential for meaningful democratic participation and for building resistance to unfair and exclusionary laws.
The meeting concluded with the drafting of collective submissions to the Department of Home Affairs. Community members agreed that the White Paper must be challenged, not to reject change outright, but to demand a migration and citizenship system grounded in humanity, dignity, and justice.
This article was submitted on 24 January 2026. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
