More than 51,000 spaza shops have been registered, while 800 have been closed down. 

A total of 51,788 spaza shops have been registered so far, with 800 shops closed down due to noncompliance, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media, he said 93% of spaza shops that have been closed down are foreign-owned.

The December 13 deadline for spaza shop registrations is fast approaching. Mbalula said spaza shops that are not compliant will face consequences.

“The spaza shops that are not compliant as per the president’s grace period should cease operating or face the law. We cannot watch while our children die and the local economy suffers as a result of lawlessness,” Mbalula said.

He said the time had come to enforce compliance more rigorously.

“We must not falter in ensuring that the laws of the country are fully implemented. This includes ensuring that no illegal immigrants are allowed to operate tuck shops. Those who are legally in the country, they must prove investment in the business of over R5m as required by law.”

Mbalula emphasised the government's commitment to reclaiming the township economy through spaza shops.

“We call on the government to employ additional inspectors to monitor the sector and ensure that it serves its intended purpose: empowering South Africans and restoring economic dignity to our communities.”

Mbalula assured immigrants residing in South Africa they were welcome, but warned that action would be taken against those who exploited South Africa's laws.

“South Africa is not a playground for lawlessness. Anyone who undermines our legal system or compromises the safety and economic opportunities of South Africans will face the full might of the law.

“This includes immigrants who engage in criminal activities and South Africans who enable this criminality by illegally registering businesses or aiding criminal behaviour, zama zamas, drug peddlers and drug laboratories and illegal immigrants.

South Africa has announced measures to simplify travel for Indian tourists, including replacing the e-visa system with an electronic travel agreement for quicker approvals. Direct flights between the two countries

In a move aimed at strengthening travel and tourism ties with India, South Africa has recently announced measures to simplify travel for Indian tourists which includes replacing the country’s current e-visa system with a new electronic travel agreement. This move is expected to significantly expedite visa processing.

If reports are to go by, under the proposed system, Indian travellers applying for visas through accredited tour operators can expect approvals within two to three days. This development was announced by Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism. This initiative is expected to make South Africa a more accessible destination.
 
World's wildest destinations!
Direct flights between India and South Africa are also in the pipeline. Currently, talks between South African Airways and Indian carriers like SpiceJet and Indigo are underway. If and when successful, these direct flights are expected to reduce travel time to just 8-9 hours from major Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi. At present, travellers have to go through lengthy layovers.


Next year, South Africa will assume the G20 presidency, and the country is all set to make tourism the key focus. Patricia De Lille emphasised that South Africa is planning to follow the examples of India, Brazil, and Indonesia by prioritising sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.

South Africa is aiming to use tourism as a driver of economic growth while ensuring it remains environmentally conscious and inclusive of local communities.


India and South Africa share deep historical and cultural connections, and with easier visa processes and the prospect of direct flights, the country is positioning itself as a prime destination for Indian travellers seeking wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, and adventure tourism. By addressing long-standing issues like visa delays and limited connectivity, South Africa is taking bold steps to attract a larger share of this lucrative market.


The Indian travel market has shown growing interest in unique international destinations. For Indian tourists, these developments promise a more seamless and meaningful travel experience, opening doors to South Africa’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture.

These are the most vulnerable borders and the issues home affairs anticipates.
The South African port of entry could see significant increase in traffic this festive season with Home Affairs raising several major risks.
The Minister of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA) briefed parliament on Tuesday on their plan for readiness for the festive season and the operational challenges at the Lebombo port of entry considering the political instability in Mozambique.

Risk profiles
Among the major concerns raised are the risk of congestion, self-repatriation, corruption, borderline transgression, and ICT challenges.
According to Home Affairs, contributing factors to congestion are the outdated and inappropriate infrastructural layout, as well as inadequate corridor management.

Explaining self-repatriation, the department said “travellers who enter the RSA illegally and those with expired visas or have overstayed, often claim to be undocumented while departing to their countries of origin during peak seasons”.

Anti-smuggling
Among the “conceivable” crimes at the border is the smuggling of persons and goods into and out of South Africa.
Smuggling activities are often complex and syndicated as syndicates use various methods of smuggling and concealment individually or through the support of border officials.

Home Affairs said the response to this criminality required coordinated and dedicated operations to disrupt and dismantle the various smuggling syndicates.

It added that the Port Management Committees will collaborate with INTERPOL to conduct joint operations to combat various cross-border crimes including human trafficking, smuggling of goods and humans, vehicles, cash and contraband.
Vulnerable portions of the border

Furthermore, Home Affairs listed the following as vulnerable segments of the borderline:
•    Vioolsdrift Qacha’s nek,
•    Telle Bridge,
•    Van Rooyen’s Gate,
•    Jeppe’s Reef,
•    Pafuri,
•    Pontdrift,
•    Beit Bridge,
•    Grobler’s Bridge,
•    Kopfontein, and
•    Lebombo.

Additional Human resources
In response, Home Affairs said it would be intensifying its surveillance and boots on the ground.
The Beitbridge border post will be allocated 70 more South African Police Services (Saps) officers and six additional SA Revenue Services officials. 20 Cross-Border Road Transport Agency officials will also be at the post.
20 additional Border Management Authority members will be allocated to the Groblersbridge and Ficksburg ports of entry.
“The BMA will also collaborate with the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town to increase capacity at the Cape Town International Airport.

“The proposed capacity augmentation will be +- 60 Peace Officers added to the Immigration stream at the port,” the department said.

Synopsis
Canada announces significant immigration policy changes, impacting millions of temporary workers and students, especially Indian nationals. Temporary permits nearing expiration may force many to leave unless renewed or transitioned

Canada has recently announced several significant changes to its immigration policies, a move that is set to significantly impact millions of temporary workers and students currently residing in Canada. This includes a large number of Indian nationals. The updated policies, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, are part of the Trudeau government’s efforts to address pressing issues in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.

These changes are aimed at the domestic challenges Canada is currently facing, but it is also true that these new policies are going to have tremendous impacts on foreign nationals. For many, Canada is a prime destination for work and education.

Temporary permits set to expire
At present, if reports are to go by, almost five million temporary permits are going to expire by the end of next year (2025). No doubt, this is a cause of concern for many. As per the official government announcement, many of these temporary permit holders will have to leave Canada unless a permanent residency is secured or the permits are renewed.

Reports state that approximately 766,000 study permits are going to expire by December 2025. Keeping that in mind, there's a possibility that many of these international students may opt to renew their permits. Going for post-graduate work permits may also allow them to stay longer. But it is undeniable that the majority will need to return to their home countries. If anyone overstays their visas, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will enforce immigration laws.

Under the revised immigration rules, reductions in both permanent and temporary resident targets will be seen over the next three years. As per reports, these measures are a response to Canada’s growing challenges in providing adequate housing, healthcare services, and infrastructure to support its population.

As per recent reports, by 2025, the yearly target for permanent residents will be reduced from 500,000 to 395,000. This represents a whopping 21percent decrease. Similarly, temporary foreign workers and international students will also see significant reductions in number. The number of foreign workers are expected to drop by over 40 percent, and international students by 10 percent by 2026.

How is it going to affect the Indian community
If reports are to go by, there are over 1.6 million Indians currently residing in Canada. Many of them are in Canada on temporary visas, such as work permits and study permits.

Indian nationals form a crucial part of Canada’s workforce, with roles ranging from engineers and technicians to executives and scientists. The revised policies may make it harder for these workers to extend their stay or transition to permanent residency, potentially leading to disruptions in their professional and personal lives.

 

UNHCR Regional Bureau Director for Southern Africa, Ms. Chansa Kapaya
Deputy Director Division of International Protection UNHCR, Mr. Patric Eba
Senior Policy Officer of SADC, representing the Regional Director, Ms Moruti
Judge President Mlambo
Distinguished Delegates,
Senior Officials, and
Esteemed Guests.

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.