Aim of Mkhaya Migrants Awards to build a safer nation
THE ONE time we talk seriously of harmonising relations with foreigners is when there is violence. Understandably. But it shouldn’t be the case. As ancient wisdom has it, in times of peace, seasoned warriors reorganise their forces as a guarantee to lasting peace.
It is in this context we locate the Mkhaya Migrants Awards, their role in building safer communities and in managing migration responsibly.
In this case, “mkhaya” is a person you share a home with. A “migrant” is a person who has left one place to settle in another. And a “refugee” is one who is granted asylum status in another country. Certainly, nobody wants to be a refugee.
The awards aim to promote tolerance, social cohesion and integration. Being the first of their kind in South Africa, they are most likely to enrich the national drive to build integrated, non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous communities wherein citizens and migrants live in perpetual harmony, together working for peace and friendship.
No one can stop migration. The best you can do is to manage it properly, humanely, and in pursuance of national development goals.
The Department of Home Affairs launched the Mkhaya Migrants Awards in May last year at a time when ugly images of irrational violence involving certain locals and foreigners in some communities were fresh in people’s minds. Then there was urgency.
Launching the inaugural Mkhaya Migrants Awards, in 2015, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba called for unity among the people in keeping with the clarion call made earlier by Africa’s leaders, the calibre of our finest son of the revolution, Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme, and Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of an independent Ghana.
On the indebtedness, and gratitude, of South Africa to the continent, Gigaba said: “Most South Africans with historical consciousness are deeply grateful for the unconditional warmth, friendship, solidarity and hospitality our fellow Africans showed to South African immigrants, asylum seekers, economic migrants and refugees in those difficult times.”
The awards support progressive movement towards a stable, successful state wherein citizens, residents and migrants coexist in an environment of human rights and fair treatment for all.
They should help in generating appreciation for the positive role of migrants.
Through the awards, there are endless possibilities for altering perceptions negating acceptance of and respect for persons. With these awards we recognise outstanding migrants residing in the country who have contributed immensely to South Africa’s development in various fields.
The Mkhaya Awards are illustrative that migration has a huge potential for driving national development, nation-building, social cohesion and security. We know how migrants play a pivotal role in South Africa.
In terms of process, the date set for closing of nomination was November 25. To be nominated were individuals and organisations that have made an impactful difference in their fields of expertise in any of the awards’ six categories.
The advisory panel will select three final nominees per category and one winner from each category, who are to be announced at the awards ceremony on December 11.
The advisory panel includes International Organisation for Migration for Southern Africa chief of mission Richard Ots, Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa acting executive director Roshan Dadoo and refugee rights activist Bram Hanekom.
Winners will nominate a charity of their choice to receive a cash prize of R100 000.
Additional information on the awards is available at www.mkhayaawards.co.za.
Mayihlome Tshwete is head of communication in the Department of Home Affairs and spokesperson for the minister of home affairs.