Malawian Advocacy Group supports members in SA
Malawians can come to South Africa as visitors with their passports allowing them to stay for various periods of time, typically for 30 days; as students on proof of their registration as a learner; or with work permits issued only in Malawi.
A large numbers of Malawians are spread across South Africa. They come here as visitors with their passports allowing them to stay for various periods of time, typically for 30 days; as students on proof of their registration as a learner in a specific educational/training institution; or with work permits issued only in Malawi.
The need arose for an organisation which would be of assistance to them in South Africa but away from the stress of red tape associated with officialdom and so The Malawian Advocacy Group in South Africa (MAGSA) was brough into being by a group of interested Malawians in South Africa.
MAGSA operates as a non-profit organisation with a nominal registration fee, and even smaller annual fee payable on a provincial basis and is totally person related.
Currently it has over 4 000 registered members who all receive an official membership/ID card issued by MAGSA. Their objective is to assist Malawians in South Africa by looking at problems experienced by them and when necessary providing legal help.
MAGSA is building its structure from the ground up towards a national level. There are registered members and contact persons in all provinces. As the numbers in a province grow, local branches are formed which in turn develop into a provincial organisation with office bearers. There are at present provincial groups set up in Gauteng with 21 branches including one in the Vaal, one in KwaZulu with 28 branches and one in the Western Cape having a further 21 branches. Some of the other provinces are also growing to the point where they also have a provincial structure. Representatives of the provinces come together in a national office. Later this year they plan to hold a national conference in order to formulate the national structure. Any financial assistance would be very welcome to help this organisation as their funds are at present rather limited due to them keeping membership fees well within reach of the average Malawian.
They have had cordial contact with the Malawian government, the RSA embassy in Malawi, the Malawian embassy in Pretoria as well as contact with the RSA Department of Home Affairs.
For more information visit the MAGSA website at www.malawiadvocacygroup.org.za and their Facebook page “Malawian Advocacy Group in South Africa”. The Deputy Director can be contacted via email at moses.chuime@malawiadvocacygroup.org.za or 084 489 2988.
