Good Morning,

It is an honour and privilege to welcome you all to this important conference. I am pleased to address you today as we gather here to discuss a matter of critical importance to our region: migration and the need for a comprehensive, route-based approach to strengthen protection and solutions for refugees and migrants in the context of mixed movements in Southern Africa.

Migration, as we know, has been a consistent and defining feature of our interconnected world. Within the Southern African region, we have seen first-hand the transformative impacts of migration—both positive and negative—on our communities, economies, and social structures. The challenges posed by mixed movements of refugees and migrants across the Southern African region call for a collective response, anchored in regional solidarity and shared responsibility.

Management of migration requires not only our attention but also our collective, sustained efforts and commitment to finding lasting solutions to regular migration pathways.

Programme Director
South Africa as one of the primary destinations for migrants understands that ensuring regular migration pathways requires a comprehensive approach of collaboration and cooperation among sending, transit, and receiving States in the migration journey.
With an estimation of just over 2.4 million international migrants in South Africa, the responsibility to protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of our people to better protect migrants must be shared. Therefore, migration governance at the national and regional level is paramount for South Africa.

Last week, South Africa, together with other United Nations Member States, gathered in Geneva to attend the 115th Session of the IOM Council where the topical issue of migration was discussed. Most member States, including representatives from our continent, spoke in one voice regarding the importance of finding a more progressive and humane approach to migration challenges. An intergovernmental, approach that encompasses the society and government entirely is key to protecting people on the move.
Distinguished guests, as we delve into this discussion, it is essential to acknowledge that the migration pathways we are analyzing are not only a matter of policy for individual countries but a regional concern. Members state in the region must look beyond national borders to understand the full scope of migration flows. In this context, it is crucial to highlight the responsibility shared by all countries, particularly the transit nations that play a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of migrants moving towards destinations such as South Africa.

As a country, South Africa has consistently advocated for safe, orderly, and regular migration, and this call was further entrenched by the adoption and implementation of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). As a result, South Africa is an active participant in the review processes towards the 2nd International Migration Review Forum in 2026. Furthermore, South Africa continues to call for the need to tangible address the push and pull factors related to migration to ensure that moving is a choice. In this regard, it is important to also address some of the structural and governance challenges that sometimes lead to asylum seekers and refuges to undertaking perilous, journeys in search of a better life.

Too often, the lack of effective action in transit countries leads to a strain on South Africa’s capacity to address migration-related challenges. This has resulted in an increased burden on our public services, heightened social tensions, and security concerns are felt not only in South Africa but throughout the region. It is thus imperative that we acknowledge that these challenges are interconnected and cannot be resolved in isolation.

As we explore the route-based approach to Refugee and Asylum seeker management, we must underscore the importance of a coordinated regional effort. This approach calls for all of us—government officials, policy-makers, civil society, international community and the private sector —to strengthen collaboration, share intelligence, and implement measures that will alleviate the pressure on transit and destination countries alike. By supporting transit countries in building the capacity and mechanisms needed to manage their roles effectively, we ensure that migration flows can be better regulated and that migrants are treated with dignity and respect throughout their journey.

As a country our commitment to the route-based approach includes prioritising strategic areas. Ensuring protection-sensitive entry is a critical concern, as inadequate screening and referral mechanisms at borders expose many migrants and refugees to exploitation and trafficking. To address this, we must prioritise establishing well-resourced, protection-sensitive systems at key land, sea, and airport entry points to ensure timely identification and appropriate support for vulnerable individuals. Strengthening asylum systems is equally important, as outdated processes and resource limitations hinder our ability to manage mixed flows effectively. Modernizing these systems through digitization, backlog reduction, and expedited procedures must be a priority that will ensure efficiency, fairness, and alignment with international standards. Migrants and refugees face significant risks during their journeys, including violence, detention, and lack of basic services, necessitating immediate protection measures.

Temporary reception arrangements, including access to shelter, clean water, food, and psychosocial support, must be implemented, with a focus on addressing the needs of survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking.

Inclusive development is another priority, recognizing that migration can contribute positively to regional growth when managed effectively. Supporting host communities through investments in education, healthcare, and livelihoods, while integrating refugees and migrants into national systems with access to documentation and employment opportunities, will foster resilience and cohesion.

Creating safe and regular routes is vital to reducing reliance on dangerous journeys, with complementary pathways such as labour mobility, educational opportunities, resettlement programs, and family reunification schemes providing humane and sustainable solutions. Finally, facilitating dignified returns for those who do not qualify for international protection is essential to maintaining the integrity of our systems.

Robust reintegration programs that benefit both returnees and their home communities, supported by enhanced cooperation with countries of origin, will create the conditions for sustainable return and reintegration.

Chairperson,
The way forward requires us to adopt a mind-set of mutual responsibility, where each country, whether origin, transit, or destination, contributes to the creation of a system that prioritizes safe, orderly, and regular migration. The route-based approach we are here to discuss is not just a policy option; it is an essential step toward ensuring stability and; shared responsibility and prosperity across the Southern African region.

Distinguished Delegates,
We are inspired by the words of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela’s speech at the United Nations in 1995, where he taught us that: "The measure of our humanity lies in how we treat the most vulnerable among us." On that note and in conclusion I urge all of you to use this conference as a platform to strengthen our partnerships, share insights, and commit to collective action. Let us remember that in addressing migration challenges, we are not just shaping the future of our countries but also contributing to the well-being and security of our entire region.

Thank you for your presence and your dedication to this crucial cause. Let us move forward together, with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to achieve a balanced and just approach to migration.

The updated measures include the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas and an option for Nigerian tourists to apply without submitting their passports physically.

Ramaphosa announced the initiatives on Tuesday, December 3, during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which was attended by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
The South African leader emphasized the importance of these steps in fostering stronger bilateral ties and enhancing economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

“Our efforts to create a favourable environment included simplifying the visa process for Nigerian business people travelling to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people were granted a five-year multiple-entry visa,” he said.
He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening economic partnerships and resolving barriers that hinder investment opportunities.

“As we marked 30 years of diplomatic relations, we saw a bright future for our relationship. Our strong bonds of friendship provided a solid foundation for more meaningful economic cooperation,” Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa recognized Nigeria’s support in hosting South African companies while highlighting South Africa’s reciprocal openness to Nigerian businesses.

“We needed to remove the remaining constraints to greater investment and address some of the challenges faced by companies,” he said.
The president praised Nigeria’s efforts to improve its business climate, emphasizing the significance of these reforms in attracting investment from South Africa and other international partners.

“Our government continued its efforts to improve the ease of doing business in South Africa. We wanted to enable investors to operate, trade, and pursue opportunities across various sectors,” he added.
“We looked forward to seeing more Nigerian companies invest in South Africa.”

President Ramaphosa addressed broader development challenges across the continent, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 within the framework of the G20.
“It was the first time the G20 Leaders’ Summit would be held on African soil. We sought to galvanise support for the AU’s Agenda 2063 as we pursued an inclusive global agenda,” he said.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller addressed these concerns earlier this week during his testimony before the Commons immigration committee. The permits in question include those for temporary foreign workers, students, and asylum claimants engaged in employment.

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised concerns about the government’s preparedness to manage the expiring permits, questioning how Canada would ensure that the 4.9 million visa holders leave the country if required.

In response, Minister Miller emphasized that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is actively enforcing immigration laws and that most individuals are expected to leave voluntarily. He also addressed the issue of 766,000 study permits expiring by December 2025, stating that many students would either renew their permits or apply for post-graduate work permits to extend their stay.
Key statistics from Statistics Canada reveal that work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) are significant components of the temporary foreign workforce. In 2021, 87% of TFWP permit holders and 69% of IMP permit holders for work purposes were employed. Temporary residents, particularly international students, make up a considerable portion of the workforce in Canada, but their growing numbers have raised concerns about the strain on infrastructure and social services.

The Canadian government, responding to mounting criticism of strained resources, has announced changes to immigration policies aimed at reducing the intake of both permanent and temporary residents. By 2025, the target for permanent residents will drop from 500,000 to 395,000, a 21% reduction. The number of temporary foreign workers is expected to decrease by over 40% by 2026, and the number of international students will also reduce by 10%.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the economic pressures caused by rapid immigration growth, particularly following the pandemic. While temporary foreign workers are vital to Canada’s economy, the pace of immigration has overwhelmed housing, healthcare, and social services. The new immigration caps are designed to balance the need for workers with the country’s infrastructure capacity.

Immigration analyst Darshan Maharaja noted that the growing influx of temporary residents, which now make up 7.3% of the population, is exacerbating the housing crisis, with high rental costs and overcrowded living conditions becoming more common. He also highlighted the strain on Canada’s healthcare system and the rising cost of living. Maharaja suggested that Indian workers, who make up a significant portion of Canada’s immigration landscape, may want to consider opportunities in other countries due to these growing challenges