Residents rally to support stranded Malawians outside consulate in Woodmead
As hundreds of Malawian nationals continue gathering outside the Malawi Consulate General in Woodmead, residents, churches, and organisations have stepped in with food, blankets, and other essentials while they wait for assistance to return home.
Churches, volunteers, and organisations have mobilised to assist hundreds of Malawian nationals outside the Malawi Consulate General in Woodmead.
As Sandton Chronicle previously reported, hundreds of Malawian nationals, including children and pregnant women, are gathered outside the consulate after claiming they had lost their jobs and accommodation and were seeking transport back to Malawi. Since then, residents and organisations have stepped in to help meet the group’s immediate needs, providing food, water, blankets, and other essentials as the group awaits assistance to return home.
Read more: Hundreds of Malawians gather outside Malawi Consulate in Woodmead, pleading for help to return home
One resident, who has been co-ordinating relief efforts with members of a nearby Seventh-day Adventist Church, said the number of people gathering outside the consulate grew steadily over the past week. “It started on Monday, when there were probably no more than 20 people. Every day the numbers grew, and by yesterday morning the place was full.”
When volunteers arrived this morning, they found that many of those who had spent previous nights outside the consulate had been relocated. She said the church has since been co-ordinating accommodation for women and children, while volunteers continue monitoring the number of people arriving outside the consulate to determine how much assistance will be needed.
Explaining why residents had chosen to assist, the volunteer said the situation should be viewed first and foremost as a humanitarian crisis. “It’s a crisis that we have in our country. No matter who you are or what position you hold, if you have a need, we need to respond to it. We can’t choose who deserves compassion and who doesn’t.”
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The resident added that while the immigration issues surrounding the group were a matter for the relevant authorities, people in immediate need should not be denied assistance. “We can’t condone everything that’s happening, but at the same time we can’t deny benevolence. If someone is hungry and knocks on your door, you must respond.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Hundreds of Malawian nationals remain outside the Malawi Consulate General in Woodmead as residents, churches, and organisations provide food, drinking water, blankets and other essentials. One of the stranded Malawians, Hawa Hassan, expresses gratitude for the support. Video: Ayanda Ntshingila, Ditiro Masuku, and Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Woodmead #Fourways #Malawi #June30 #illegalforeigners
♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North – Caxton Joburg North
One of the stranded Malawian nationals, Hawa Hassan (22), expressed gratitude to the many residents who have donated food, drinking water, blankets, and other necessities since the group gathered outside the consulate. She said the support had helped families, particularly children and pregnant women, endure difficult conditions while they waited for assistance.
People continues to arrive at the Malawi Consulate General, while volunteers and police diplomacy from Rivonia Police Station remain on site.
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