Palestinian Migrants In South Africa: A Case Of Inconsistencies, Fallacies, And Witch-Hunting
The case of the Palestinian migrants raises more questions than answers.
Written By: Nkanyezi Ndlovu
South Africa is a very important country in relation to migration, not only in Africa but to the entire world. It hosts a large proportion of migrants from many migrant-producing countries. In Africa, it is one of the top migrant-hosting countries and the number one host in the SADC region. Statistics South Africa estimates that the country currently has close to 3 million migrants of African descent, with over a million more from other regions combined.
The arrival of migrants in South Africa, particularly Johannesburg, is therefore not a new phenomenon. African migrants started arriving in the 1980s through a programme popularly known as WNLA. Notably, as early as 1896 there was a loose association of labour employers called the Native Labour Supply Association, formed to recruit labourers from Mozambique. During the Anglo-Boer War, when mining operations were suspended, industry representatives met in Cape Town to form a joint company to engage labour. In 1901, when the war ended, the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (WNLA) was formally incorporated.
The case of migrants in South Africa is therefore an old phenomenon, and throughout these historical instances South Africa has stood by its migrant policies - never bending to conspiracies advanced by organisations like Gift of the Givers.
So what is so surprising about the mere 160 Palestinian migrants at OR Tambo who decided to travel voluntarily? Was the attention they received justified, or was it simply a PR stunt by Gift of the Givers and other Arab-linked organisations - indirect pseudo-humanitarian organisations, but of course only for migrants of Arab descent?
Yes, it is a known fact that South Africa maintains a pro-Palestinian policy, but that policy does not mean the country must be blind to political manipulation by actors with questionable motives.
Many humanitarian organisations have played significant roles in migrant affairs in South Africa. These include the African Diaspora Forum (ADF), IOM, MSF, and many more. These organisations work tirelessly for all migrants, of all races and creeds, regardless of where they come from. Surprisingly, Gift of the Givers has suddenly taken centre stage in migrant affairs simply because these migrants are of Arab descent.
Gift of the Givers is not a new organisation. It existed long before the arrival of Palestinian migrants in South Africa. Founded in 1992 by Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, and headquartered in Pietermaritzburg, it has long been involved in humanitarian efforts, including aiding people affected by conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Palestine.
Gift of the Givers has provided assistance to the 160 Palestinian migrants who recently arrived in South Africa. But what boggles the mind is the sudden influence or interest the organisation has shown in migration policy. Why now? Research shows that while Gift of the Givers is active in Arab states, its effectiveness in Africa has not been recorded. One could argue that it is a racially biased organisation with no genuine interest in African migrant affairs. Its involvement in the Palestinian scandal appears to be an act of racism and a display to the world that Palestinian lives matter more than those of African migrants in Johannesburg.
Recently, African migrants have been targeted by Operation Dudula operatives, and most humanitarian organisations issued statements or took legal action in their defence. Yet from Gift of the Givers, there was nothing concrete. One wonders who is really behind this organisation.
By bending to the demands of Gift of the Givers, the South African government is bending to the wishes of Hamas. The timing of the Palestinian migrants’ arrival, coinciding with the G20 Summit, also raises questions about the sincerity of the situation. The last time South Africa saw a large contingent of Palestinian visitors was during the 2014 World Social Forum on Migration - hosted in Johannesburg with ADF and other migrant organisations. Why do these movements always coincide with major global events? Surely there is a covert agenda.
It has been reported that, under pressure from Gift of the Givers, President Ramaphosa has unilaterally accepted the Palestinians, bypassing established migrant protocols - an interesting stance for a country that receives thousands of African migrants monthly, if not daily.
Witch-hunters argue that the Israeli government deliberately refused to issue exit stamps (Israel ceased stamping passports in 2013), but technically this would risk Palestinians being deported back to their country of origin. Why would Israel make such an illogical move? We must also ask basic questions: who bears the responsibility for ensuring passports are stamped the government or the traveller? And why would someone leave their country without an exit stamp or slip?
The case of the Palestinian migrants raises more questions than answers. At what point did Gift of the Givers organise accommodation for the incoming migrants? The organisation’s swift mobilisation upon their arrival suggests a long-planned hidden agenda.
NewsDay South Africa reported that the country granted entry to 130 Palestinians without travel papers after initially barring them, but would investigate allegations that an unregistered organisation arranged their trip “in an irregular and irresponsible manner”. The fact that the government is considering such an investigation indicates that it acknowledges a sinister element in the matter - clearly linked to a Palestinian or Arab-connected group.
From an African migrant perspective, it is obvious that someone arranged the unceremonial arrival of the Palestinians, with the clear agenda of portraying Israel as evil at all costs - even at the expense of Palestinian people themselves. This indirectly violates the very human rights they claim to defend.
It has also been reported that the Palestinian Embassy admitted to the South African interior ministry that the group was deceived and charged money by an unregistered organisation, which later disowned responsibility when complications arose. Considering this statement by Palestinian authorities, it becomes inconsistent and unfair to link the entire issue to the Israeli Embassy. It is, at this stage, fair to accept Israel’s explanation.
History of the Israel-Palestine conflict has shown that whether inside Gaza or outside, Palestinians will always remain anti-Israel. The idea that Israel facilitated the “dumping” of Palestinian migrants in South Africa is therefore null and void.
In conclusion, what makes this scandal so inconsistent is that migration to South Africa is not new. African migrants arrive daily, yet we have never seen such a diplomatic standoff. The sudden interest of Gift of the Givers - interest it has never shown in African migrant crises - is both concerning and suspicious. The ongoing blame game also raises legitimate questions for those who seek to understand the situation.
The government of Israel has its flaws, but linking it to a group that voluntarily planned and boarded a plane is not justified.
Nkanyezi Ndlovu is a Zimbabwean international human rights activist experienced in migration, human rights, and climate change. He can be contacted on: diplomatstar@gmail.com
I agree there is more here than meets the eye, but to be honest we also have to admit that nothing is impossible coming from the very corrupt Israel government.