In a community often divided by nationality and mistrust, Alexandra residents gathered at the SanKopano Centre on October 9 for a community dialogue aimed at confronting xenophobia and strengthening social cohesion.

Read more: City Social Development engages Alexandra residents in community dialogue

The event, organised by Alex Peace Ambassadors in partnership with Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA), brought together civil society groups, NGOs, and government representatives to address hate speech, migration policy, and the fragile threads of unity between South Africans and foreign nationals.

The dialogue, themed around Migrants’ Rights and Social Cohesion, served as a buffer against rising tensions in a neighbourhood where foreign nationals have frequently been targeted. It opened space for reflection, legal education, and community-led solutions.

Thifulufheli Sinthumule, director of CoRMSA, an organisation that promotes and protects the human rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in South Africa and globally, shared his personal journey of unlearning prejudice. He described how education reshaped his views on migrants, moving him away from derogatory language and toward advocacy. “We can only build cohesion through understanding the laws and policies that govern our country,” he said, emphasising the importance of legal literacy in dismantling xenophobic attitudes.

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Sympathy Mncube from the Refugees Children’s Project, a non-profit organisation that supports the integration of refugee children into the local communities, said that South Africa’s refugee policy was rooted in integration, not isolation. She noted that South Africa did not operate refugee camps, a point that sparked debate among attendees. Some residents argued that designated camps could help manage resources and reduce pressure on public services, particularly healthcare. Others voiced concerns about foreign nationals allegedly exploiting local systems, highlighting the need for clearer policy communication and community engagement.

Tumelo Mogale from Lawyers for Human Rights (LFHR), a non-profit human rights organisation, provided legal clarity on hate crimes and speech, outlining LFHR’s work in supporting vulnerable communities. Despite moments of discomfort, the dialogue was centred on empathy and finding ways to live together in harmony. Attendees were encouraged to see migrants not as outsiders, but as neighbours with rights and shared struggles.

The event closed with small group discussions focused on practical strategies for promoting inclusion, peaceful engagement, and mutual respect.

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