Date: 22/07/2005
Source: Department Home Affairs
Title: Mapisa-Nqakula: Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa
Speech by Minister of Home Affairs, Ms N Mapisa-Nqakula, during the MIDSA “Building Capacity to Manage Migration Workshop”, Centurion
Programme Director
Regional Director of the IOM, Mr Hans-Peter Boe, Representative from the African Union, Madam Kisaneta
Representative from the SADC Secretariat, Dr Ndlovu,
Chiefs of Immigration,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
Today is the start of our mid year Cabinet Lekgotla, a forum of the government’s executive convened twice a year to review progress in the implementation of our programme of action and identify key political priorities for our work.
In giving my apology for not attending the first session of such an important meeting I had pleaded that this dialogue is quite key in initiating meaningful engagement on common matters facing our region with regard to immigration. So I am glad that you had invited me to join you for this opening session, and I wish I was able to stay with you for longer and participate in the actual discussions during the Dialogue.
So firstly, I would like to welcome you all to South Africa. I hope that you will find enough time during these hectic four days to interact with as many people as possible and experience first hand the spirit of ubuntu that is on offer.
On behalf of our government and all the people of South Africa, I must thank the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) for the insight in planning this workshop. I am informed that you have worked very closely with our own officials to bring this initiative to fruition.
The very presence of Chiefs of immigration as well as other sister departments also involved in migration points to the importance and cross cutting nature of this issue. It underlines our belief within government that all departments whose services have a bearing on the movement of people and goods, and all officials who render a service to immigrants must be familiar with the subject of international immigration. Such an approach will ensure the development and synchronization of our policies, streamlined standard operating procedures, and the treatment of migrants in accordance with acceptable international standards and laws.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This workshop is sitting at a time when world leaders are grappling with a number of challenges brought about by growing globalization and inter-dependence amongst nations. Most of these challenges have a great impact on the planning and organization of immigration amongst these nations. The need to travel from one country to another has become greater and is influenced by a number of reason including security, humanitarian, socio-economical, recreation, trade and so on.
Immigration policy has always been sensitive and normally responds to key developments in this regard all over the world.
The twin tower attacks in New York, and the train bombings in Madrid and London, demonstrated this trend and brought to the fore some of the pitfalls within the immigration and security regimes of these states. It has also propelled immigration to the top of the international political agenda, and has compelled states across the globe to re-examine to reinvigorate their immigration regimes as a means to stave off threats to international security and peace.
I must say from the onset that as a continent most of us have been worried about these development and the pressures they place on immigration policy. These events have generated a situation where international migration is equated mainly with security considerations, at times at the expense of development. Such an approach distorts the immigration realities of the various regions of the world, and downplays the important multifarious challenges faced by the developing world and our continent in particular. Due to its significance, immigration should simultaneously address the multitude of inter-dependent challenges of development, security and the human rights of migrants. It is our responsibility as Africans to ensure that these challenges that we are faced with are located and remain at the top end of our domestic, regional and the international agenda.
For this reason we should urge MIDSA and the IOM to constructively engage with countries of the region on some of these issues as genuinely and as sensitively as possible. This we should do in such a way that we allow the region and the continent to make their own contributions to global dialogue informed by the objective pressures faced by our people. Accordingly, I must also say that we are encouraged by the decision to convene this workshop to explore issues of capacity in the management of immigration in the region.
Colleagues and Friends,
The workshop also coincides with our own efforts to build capacity for managing immigration in our own country. In the past few years since the dawn of democracy, we have all been concerned about the fact that the task of managing immigration in the country had been grossly under estimated and as a result had not been properly resourced.
We have therefore taken it upon ourselves to review our immigration structures, policies and procedure with a view to properly locate migration at the centre of our efforts to boost tourism, facilitate foreign investment, attract scarce skills and support key objectives of our foreign policy.
It is however going to be impossible for us to talk of building this capacity as an isolated national initiative that does not take into consideration the international environment surrounding us both globally and specifically in the SADC region.
Fortunately the relative stability our region has been enjoying in the past provides us with an opportunity to address our immigration challenges in a comprehensive manner. The management of human movement in particular, necessitates a serious focus on processes, systems and skills required for effectiveness and efficiency. I am sure that as our experts in immigration, you are more familiar with the situation on the ground and you know that it is a situation that has room for improvement.
I am most certain that the deliberations of the workshop will assist a great deal in suggesting further practical ways in which our governments in the region can optimally exploit the possibilities for cooperation in this regard.
This is mainly because it is not going to be helpful for anyone of the SADC member states to introduce an improvement into the efficiency of systems without bringing on board the rest of the region. There is an inherent need for consistency and coherence in the systems we use and failure to recognize that will only result in a revolving door.
It for this reason, programme director, that as a country we have started discussion on a number of technical assistance possibilities for other member states in the region. We have finalized some of the agreements in this regard and we are quite encouraged by the possibility of achieving this synchrony.
Additional to all the current efforts, however, we must ensure that we optimize the benefits of this workshop, and apply the knowledge that we shall gain and share in the consolidating and supporting work that is already being done throughout the region.
The benefits to be derived from a more streamlined equitable capacity for the management of immigration are of course immense. One example will be in the manner in which we will be able to fulfil some of the international obligations we have committed to, key amongst them being the management of refugee affairs in our respective countries.
Particularly because we are in this part of the world, we need to pay greater attention to the need to put in place reliable systems and capacity that will enhance our ability to do justice in the protection of those who are forced to abandon their homes against their will due to human rights and other violations that are a threat to their lives.
Coincidentally, I should also report to the workshop that this is one issue that I have recently raised serious concerns about. I have lamented the fact that our country, as one of the major recipient of refugee affairs is failing thousands of asylum seekers by delaying the finalisation of their cases. Due to these problems of capacity, we are currently sitting with a backlog of over a 100 000 unfinalised applications. I have since decided that we must create the necessary capacity to eradicate this backlog in the next six months to restore the dignity and respect of those who deserve and are in desperate need of our protection.
Lastly, SADC Member States are in the process of finalising its Draft Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons in the region. The Draft Protocol aims to ease the movement of persons in the region in accordance with stipulated provisions. Member States are also engaged in another process to define the immigration policy direction for our continent. The Draft Strategic Framework for a Policy on Migration is an effort by the African Union to ensure that Africa reverses the debilitating impact of globalization, and that we optimize the benefits of globalization for our continent. Some of the strategic issues that are included in this document relate to migration and development; labour migration; border management; irregular migration; forced displacement; inter-state cooperation; human rights of migrants; internal migration; migration data; inter-state cooperation partnership and social issues.
Our representatives at this workshop will avail this document to all participants at this workshop. SADC Member States, and by implication yourselves as senior immigration managers, must engage with this Draft Strategic Framework and ensure that it speaks to the needs of our continent and region. Your task is to facilitate consultation within and between departments, in order to streamline the issues so that we can adopt a Strategic Framework that speaks to the needs of our continent and region.
This workshop is a means to strengthen the capacity of immigration managers in our region. At the same time we must strengthen cooperation between states in our region, to ensure that the objectives of development, security, safety and human rights are understood and not compromised by ineffective management. I wish you success in your deliberations, and hope that your stay in our beautiful country will indeed be a memorable experience.
Thank you very much.
Issued by: Department Home Affairs
22 July 2005
Source: Department Home Affairs
Title: Mapisa-Nqakula: Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa
Speech by Minister of Home Affairs, Ms N Mapisa-Nqakula, during the MIDSA “Building Capacity to Manage Migration Workshop”, Centurion
Programme Director
Regional Director of the IOM, Mr Hans-Peter Boe, Representative from the African Union, Madam Kisaneta
Representative from the SADC Secretariat, Dr Ndlovu,
Chiefs of Immigration,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
Today is the start of our mid year Cabinet Lekgotla, a forum of the government’s executive convened twice a year to review progress in the implementation of our programme of action and identify key political priorities for our work.
In giving my apology for not attending the first session of such an important meeting I had pleaded that this dialogue is quite key in initiating meaningful engagement on common matters facing our region with regard to immigration. So I am glad that you had invited me to join you for this opening session, and I wish I was able to stay with you for longer and participate in the actual discussions during the Dialogue.
So firstly, I would like to welcome you all to South Africa. I hope that you will find enough time during these hectic four days to interact with as many people as possible and experience first hand the spirit of ubuntu that is on offer.
On behalf of our government and all the people of South Africa, I must thank the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) for the insight in planning this workshop. I am informed that you have worked very closely with our own officials to bring this initiative to fruition.
The very presence of Chiefs of immigration as well as other sister departments also involved in migration points to the importance and cross cutting nature of this issue. It underlines our belief within government that all departments whose services have a bearing on the movement of people and goods, and all officials who render a service to immigrants must be familiar with the subject of international immigration. Such an approach will ensure the development and synchronization of our policies, streamlined standard operating procedures, and the treatment of migrants in accordance with acceptable international standards and laws.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This workshop is sitting at a time when world leaders are grappling with a number of challenges brought about by growing globalization and inter-dependence amongst nations. Most of these challenges have a great impact on the planning and organization of immigration amongst these nations. The need to travel from one country to another has become greater and is influenced by a number of reason including security, humanitarian, socio-economical, recreation, trade and so on.
Immigration policy has always been sensitive and normally responds to key developments in this regard all over the world.
The twin tower attacks in New York, and the train bombings in Madrid and London, demonstrated this trend and brought to the fore some of the pitfalls within the immigration and security regimes of these states. It has also propelled immigration to the top of the international political agenda, and has compelled states across the globe to re-examine to reinvigorate their immigration regimes as a means to stave off threats to international security and peace.
I must say from the onset that as a continent most of us have been worried about these development and the pressures they place on immigration policy. These events have generated a situation where international migration is equated mainly with security considerations, at times at the expense of development. Such an approach distorts the immigration realities of the various regions of the world, and downplays the important multifarious challenges faced by the developing world and our continent in particular. Due to its significance, immigration should simultaneously address the multitude of inter-dependent challenges of development, security and the human rights of migrants. It is our responsibility as Africans to ensure that these challenges that we are faced with are located and remain at the top end of our domestic, regional and the international agenda.
For this reason we should urge MIDSA and the IOM to constructively engage with countries of the region on some of these issues as genuinely and as sensitively as possible. This we should do in such a way that we allow the region and the continent to make their own contributions to global dialogue informed by the objective pressures faced by our people. Accordingly, I must also say that we are encouraged by the decision to convene this workshop to explore issues of capacity in the management of immigration in the region.
Colleagues and Friends,
The workshop also coincides with our own efforts to build capacity for managing immigration in our own country. In the past few years since the dawn of democracy, we have all been concerned about the fact that the task of managing immigration in the country had been grossly under estimated and as a result had not been properly resourced.
We have therefore taken it upon ourselves to review our immigration structures, policies and procedure with a view to properly locate migration at the centre of our efforts to boost tourism, facilitate foreign investment, attract scarce skills and support key objectives of our foreign policy.
It is however going to be impossible for us to talk of building this capacity as an isolated national initiative that does not take into consideration the international environment surrounding us both globally and specifically in the SADC region.
Fortunately the relative stability our region has been enjoying in the past provides us with an opportunity to address our immigration challenges in a comprehensive manner. The management of human movement in particular, necessitates a serious focus on processes, systems and skills required for effectiveness and efficiency. I am sure that as our experts in immigration, you are more familiar with the situation on the ground and you know that it is a situation that has room for improvement.
I am most certain that the deliberations of the workshop will assist a great deal in suggesting further practical ways in which our governments in the region can optimally exploit the possibilities for cooperation in this regard.
This is mainly because it is not going to be helpful for anyone of the SADC member states to introduce an improvement into the efficiency of systems without bringing on board the rest of the region. There is an inherent need for consistency and coherence in the systems we use and failure to recognize that will only result in a revolving door.
It for this reason, programme director, that as a country we have started discussion on a number of technical assistance possibilities for other member states in the region. We have finalized some of the agreements in this regard and we are quite encouraged by the possibility of achieving this synchrony.
Additional to all the current efforts, however, we must ensure that we optimize the benefits of this workshop, and apply the knowledge that we shall gain and share in the consolidating and supporting work that is already being done throughout the region.
The benefits to be derived from a more streamlined equitable capacity for the management of immigration are of course immense. One example will be in the manner in which we will be able to fulfil some of the international obligations we have committed to, key amongst them being the management of refugee affairs in our respective countries.
Particularly because we are in this part of the world, we need to pay greater attention to the need to put in place reliable systems and capacity that will enhance our ability to do justice in the protection of those who are forced to abandon their homes against their will due to human rights and other violations that are a threat to their lives.
Coincidentally, I should also report to the workshop that this is one issue that I have recently raised serious concerns about. I have lamented the fact that our country, as one of the major recipient of refugee affairs is failing thousands of asylum seekers by delaying the finalisation of their cases. Due to these problems of capacity, we are currently sitting with a backlog of over a 100 000 unfinalised applications. I have since decided that we must create the necessary capacity to eradicate this backlog in the next six months to restore the dignity and respect of those who deserve and are in desperate need of our protection.
Lastly, SADC Member States are in the process of finalising its Draft Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons in the region. The Draft Protocol aims to ease the movement of persons in the region in accordance with stipulated provisions. Member States are also engaged in another process to define the immigration policy direction for our continent. The Draft Strategic Framework for a Policy on Migration is an effort by the African Union to ensure that Africa reverses the debilitating impact of globalization, and that we optimize the benefits of globalization for our continent. Some of the strategic issues that are included in this document relate to migration and development; labour migration; border management; irregular migration; forced displacement; inter-state cooperation; human rights of migrants; internal migration; migration data; inter-state cooperation partnership and social issues.
Our representatives at this workshop will avail this document to all participants at this workshop. SADC Member States, and by implication yourselves as senior immigration managers, must engage with this Draft Strategic Framework and ensure that it speaks to the needs of our continent and region. Your task is to facilitate consultation within and between departments, in order to streamline the issues so that we can adopt a Strategic Framework that speaks to the needs of our continent and region.
This workshop is a means to strengthen the capacity of immigration managers in our region. At the same time we must strengthen cooperation between states in our region, to ensure that the objectives of development, security, safety and human rights are understood and not compromised by ineffective management. I wish you success in your deliberations, and hope that your stay in our beautiful country will indeed be a memorable experience.
Thank you very much.
Issued by: Department Home Affairs
22 July 2005
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