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In the current hype surrounding “mabahambe” in SA, we risk losing an important opportunity for serious intellectual and analytical engagement
What is most concerning is that even some of the African voices we typically respect seem hesitant to interrogate the deeper structural issues confronting our societies
Today, I choose not to engage the question of the Berlin borders. Whatever their historical origins and consequences, African states have collectively chosen to recognise them and to organise their political lives around them
We did not dismantle them, right? The challenge before us is not merely the legitimacy of those borders but what we have done with the political communities and institutions that have emerged within them. Decades after independence we continue to struggle to build inclusive, accountable and developmental states
The conversation should not simply focus on who must leave SA, but rather on why so many people feel compelled to leave their home countries in the first place
Across Africa, including SA, migration is often driven by persistent challenges such as unemployment, insecurity, poor governance, weak institutions, corruption and limited opportunities for young people
Until African countries address these underlying conditions, citizens — especially the youth — will continue to seek livelihoods and futures elsewhere. The issue is not migration itself, but the quality of leadership and governance that produces these outcomes
Too often, societies tolerate leaders who fail to serve the public interest. When accountability weakens, poor leadership becomes normalised, institutions deteriorate, and democratic freedoms grow fragile
History reminds us that societies do not collapse overnight; decline begins when leaders become disconnected from the needs of their people and institutions fail to hold them accountable
It is essential that African citizens reclaim their <a href="https://absafricatv.com/artificial-intelligence-competition-in-europe-the-role-of-dma-article-67-2/” title=”Artificial-intelligence competition in Europe: the role of DMA Article 6(7)”>role as active participants in democracy. Leaders are most responsive when citizens organise, engage critically, and demand accountability
The future of the continent depends not only on who governs but also on whether citizens insist on ethical, competent, and development-orientated leadership
Perhaps the debate we should be having is not “Who must go?” but rather, “What type of Africa are we building, and what type of leadership are we prepared to demand?”
At the same time, we must recognise that there are broader governance and state capacity issues in this conundrum. A government that cannot account for every person within its borders faces a fundamental challenge of state capacity. Effective governance begins with knowing who resides in the country, who its citizens are, and who has legal status to live, work, or seek refuge within its territory
The question we should be asking is, “How did we arrive at a point where there are individuals whose identities, statuses, or movements cannot be adequately accounted for?” What does this reveal about the strength of our institutions, the effectiveness of our administrative systems, and the quality of political leadership over time?
This is not a new concern. As far back as the early 2000s, concerns were raised internationally regarding weaknesses in SA’s identity and documentation systems
Reports of fraudulently obtained South African travel documents and identity records raised questions aboutborder management, immigration control, and the integrity of population registration systems
The deeper issue is not merely one of migration. It is one of governance. A capable state requires reliable population data, secure identity management systems, effective border administration, and institutions that are adequately re
At the same time, we must recognise that migration pressures do not emerge in a vacuum. Across Africa, conflict, economic hardship, political instability, unemployment, and weak governance continue to push people to seek opportunities elsewhere. Unless African governments collectively address these root causes, migration will remain a feature of our reality
The challenge before us is twofold: building capable states that can effectively manage citizenship, migration, and documentation systems while simultaneously creating the political and economic conditions that enable people to thrive in their countries of origin
Ultimately, it is not simply who enters a country or how they arrived. The challenge is whether our institutions are strong enough to govern fairly, effectively, and accountably in the interests of all who live within our borders
We should not blame one another as Africans but address the conditions that force people to leave their homes and communities
— Edith Phaswana
We should not blame one another as Africans but address the conditions that force people to leave their homes and communities. Africa’s future depends on our ability to build inclusive economies, strengthen institutions, improve education systems, and harness innovation to create sustainable livelihoods
This is why today’s youth carry a profound responsibility. We need individuals who will apply their knowledge, skills, creativity, and talents to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges. We need entrepreneurs who create jobs, researchers who generate solutions, professionals who serve with integrity, and citizens who put Africa’s collective interests above narrow self-interest
Above all, we need leaders to emerge from this current generation — leaders with vision, courage, and a deep commitment to justice and development. Leaders who can provide direction, inspire hope, and help build an Africa where young people no longer feel compelled to leave in search of dignity and opportunity but can find both at home
The task of transforming Africa belongs to all of us, but it begins with an educated generation willing to place its learning in the service of humanity. Young Africans must be the custodians of Africa’s future and architects of the continent we aspire to become
- Phaswana is the acting executive dean at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at Unisa.
