Message from the General Administration: Pope Francis, shepherd of mercy: a legacy that illuminates the path of the Church
The news of the passing of our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis leaves us deeply saddened, but our faith in the Resurrection comforts us. "Life does not end with death, and Christian hope is a gift that urges us to move forward," he wrote in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti. With him, the Church experienced a season of profound renewal, founded on mercy, closeness to the least among us, attention to God's creation and universal brotherhood, on an unceasing dialogue...
Remembering the Sharpeville Massacre: Protecting the Rights of Child Migrants in South Africa
As we commemorate Human Rights Day in South Africa, we remember the tragic events of the Sharpeville massacre on March 21, 1960. On that day, police opened fire on a crowd of protesters, killing 249 people, including 29 children (Lodge, 2011). Today, we honor the memories of those child victims by reflecting on the progress of children's rights in South Africa, particularly for child migrants.
Good news for children of undocumented foreign parents and guardians for their admission into South African schools
CHILDREN of undocumented foreign nationals will not be required to produce any form of identification before registering for admission at any school in South Africa. For decades, undocumented children have been largely excluded from the education system, left on the margins by restrictive policies and legislative gaps. Recent developments signal a monumental shift towards a more inclusive approach, harmonizing South Africa’s laws with international standards and reinforcing undocumented immigrant children's right to basic education.
"We Made This!": a Video Documentary on the Journey and Difficulties of Children on the Move
We are proud to share with you the “We Made This!” video. The video was shown during the “The Need to Belong: Pathways Towards Durable Solutions” conference, which we held, together with the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town and the Commissioner for Children in the Western Cape, between the 25th and 27th September 2024.
Insights and recommendations from the "The need to belong: pathways towards durable solutions" Conference
Between Wednesday, September 25, and Friday, September 27, we held the conference “The need to belong: pathways towards durable solutions”, focusing on the integration and documentation processes for young migrants and Children on the Move. The event highlighted the challenges related to social and school integration, as well as the acquisition of South African citizenship for unaccompanied minors.
Presentation of the "Pathways of Wellbeing and (un)Belonging" report
SIHMA is proud to annunce the finalization of the "Pathways of Wellbeing and (un) Belonging - Understanding the Experience of Migrant Youth in Alternative Care and Recently Out of Care in Cape Town" report, written by Dr. Glynis Clacherty, Dr. Rachel Chinyakata, and Dr. Cletus Muluh Momasoh, and edited by Fr. Filippo Ferraro. The report's results will be launched on Thursday, September 26th, during the "The Need to belong: Pathways Towards Durable Solutions" conference in Cape Town. The conference will focus...
