Minister welcomes refugees home
The new citizens have been taken through an induction programme.
AMIDST a growing number of undocumented asylum seekers and refugees in the country about 278 applicants were recently naturalised by the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba at the Greyville Racecourse.
The Naturalisation Ceremony has been hosted by Home Affairs on two occasions in 2016 and 2017. The inductees took an oath of affirmation to the South African constitution, its laws and its democratic values. In addition, the new citizens publicly pledge their loyalty promising commitment to the Republic.
Gigaba said the ceremony comes at an important time in history. International migration has become a prominent moral, political, economic and social quandary often leading to controversy, rancor and divisiveness.
“In South Africa, we have articulated the view that international migration is a natural, human phenomenon which can benefit our development, nation building and social cohesion if managed well. As much as any country, South Africa appreciates the importance of human connections and diversity.”
Cabinet approved the White Paper on International Migration, which is aimed at managing migration to achieve SA’s national goals. The white paper states that SA’s new international migration policy ‘must be oriented towards Africa’. However, refugee and migrant rights organisations say the plan to establish asylum-seeker processing centres is controversial as these centres detain asylum seekers while their applications are being processed. Blanket detention of migrants is problematic because it results in the criminalisation of the poor.
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“From today onwards, and upon the swearing of the oath of allegiance and the pledging of loyalty to the Constitution and the symbols of the Republic, you shall become full and proud members of the family of South Africans, fellow citizens of this country who enjoy not only the full rights of citizenship but also the enormous responsibilities that accompany such rights, determined that you shall also do whatever it takes and everything within your capabilities to uplift this nation and its people,” said Gigaba.
The new citizens have been taken through an induction programme, learning about the country’s history, civil rights and responsibilities.
“We encourage you to continue to deepen your understanding of all of this and make your contribution to the arts and culture, the science and technology, education and training, and economy of our country. We are a young and diverse democracy with many challenges and opportunities. Out of a history of division and oppression, we are building a nation where all people matter, regardless of their race, gender, class, sexual orientation, physical ability or any other difference. We are an African nation, inextricably linked to Southern Africa as a region, and the African continent as a whole,” he concluded.
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