African Refugee And Migrants Aid

02/09/2026

Presenter: Mr Malipo Lukandamiza Mbalanga, Founder & Executive Director | 10 August 2026
NWU COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (CE) SHOWCASE 2026

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY VOICES, ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE AND BUILDING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

African Refugee and Migrants Aid (ARMA)

Introduction to ARMA
African Refugee and Migrants Aid (ARMA) was founded to support African refugees and migrants in South Africa. ARMA advocates for social justice, dignity, and inclusion — committed to empowering marginalised voices in communities and schools across the country.

ARMA's Advocacy Role in Social Justice

Combatting gender-based violence and promoting gender equality
Advancing social justice for refugees, migrants, and marginalised groups
Protecting human dignity and fighting xenophobia
Empowering communities to claim their rights

ARMA champions the rights of refugees, migrants, communities and marginalised groups through targeted advocacy and community engagement:

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Social Justice

Support services and awareness campaigns for GBV survivors
Engagement with community leaders for prevention and accountability
Advocacy for policy change and strengthened legal protections
Promoting gender equality and dignity for all

ARMA actively responds to gender-based violence through survivor support, community engagement, and policy advocacy:

The Rights of the Voiceless
Refugees and asylum seekers are often excluded from decision-making.

ARMA's commitment to "Nothing About Us Without Us"
Building platforms for meaningful participation.

Empowering communities to advocate for their own rights

Marginalised communities deserve a seat at the table. ARMA champions the principle that every voice matters:

Promoting Social Cohesion in Schools

Initiatives to foster inclusivity and respect among diverse learners.

Engaging teachers and students in dialogue and workshops.

Creating safe spaces free from discrimination and xenophobia.

Building a culture of belonging for refugee and migrant learners

Building inclusive, respectful educational environments for all learners:

Strengthening Social Cohesion in Communities

Collaborative projects uniting refugees, migrants, and local residents
Addressing myths and misinformation that fuel xenophobia
Encouraging shared cultural and social activities for integration
Building trust through dialogue and community engagement

Community-based approaches bring people together to build unity and belonging:

Xenophobia and Human Dignity

Rising xenophobic violence and its devastating impact on refugee and migrant communities
Advocacy for human rights protections and robust anti-xenophobia campaigns.
Promoting respect for diversity, inclusion, and equal human dignity

Engaging communities to challenge prejudice and build a culture of tolerance
Rising xenophobic violence threatens communities. ARMA responds through advocacy and awareness:

Refugee & Asylum-Seeker Access to Higher Education

Financial constraints and lack of funding opportunities
Legal and documentation barriers to enrolment
Social exclusion and discrimination on campuses
ARMA's call for dedicated scholarships and bursaries

Significant barriers prevent refugees and asylum seekers from accessing university education in South Africa:

Research Partnership: Strengthening Community Voices

"A Participatory Approach to Addressing Social Justice Issues in South African Schools" — A four-year collaborative research initiative led by ARMA and North-West University, using participatory methods to engage communities and learners in addressing social justice.

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The Research Team
Mr Malipo Lukandamiza Mbalanga – ARMA Founder and Executive Director
NWU academic researchers and community partners
A team built on diversity, lived experience, and community representation
Committed to participatory, community-led research

The Research Team

As an organisation advocating for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in South Africa, ARMA is proud to be part of this multidisciplinary research partnership.

We acknowledge and appreciate the team involved in this important project:

1.Mr Malipo Lukandamiza Mbalanga
2.Prof Newly Marongwe
3.Ms Vernique Diedricks
4.Dr Elize Kung
5.Mr Helgaardt Meintjes
6.Ms Annerie Kruger
7.Dr Carmen Joubert

SDG 4: Quality Education – ensuring inclusive and equitable education access
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – promoting social justice and inclusion
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – fostering peaceful, inclusive societies

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Key SDGs guiding ARMA's work and the NWU research partnership:

The Importance of Participatory Research
Research led by affected communities ensures relevance and real-world impact.

Builds community ownership and strengthens marginalised voices.

Supports sustainable social

transformation through collaboration
Empowers participants as co-researchers, not merely subjects
Research driven by those affected ensures lasting relevance, impact, and community ownership.

Call to Action: Scholarship & Bursary Support

We call on NWU and all stakeholders to invest in the future of marginalised learners:

Establish scholarships and bursaries for refugee and asylum-seeker students
Support integration and academic success for marginalised learners
Strengthen partnerships between universities and community organisations

"Nothing About Us Without Us"

Closing Message: Community-Led Social Justice

ARMA remains steadfast in its dedication to amplifying the voices of refugees, migrants, and marginalised communities.
Together, we can build inclusive, just communities where every voice is heard and valued.
We invite your continued collaboration, support, and partnership in this vital work.

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African Refugee and Migrants Aid (ARMA)

Contact:

ARMA | NWU Community Engagement Showcase 2026

Presented by: Mr Malipo Lukandamiza Mbalanga

THANK YOU
MERCI
ENKOSI
NGIYABONGA
ASANTE
DANKIE

Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia - KAAX
IOM - UN Migration
United Nations
Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
UNHCR Southern Africa
Oxfam
Northwestern University
EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid
UNHCR

01/09/2026

We are coming on your direction ✌️

For the love of Airlink

28/08/2026

South Africa: UN committee raises alarm over racist killings, displacement and home raids against migrants



GENEVA (27 August 2026) - The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) today expressed grave concern over a surge in xenophobia and racist hate crimes against migrants in South Africa since early 2026, including killings, forced displacement and unlawful home raids.



The Committee noted with deep concern that at least four migrants had been unlawfully killed and at least 50,000 migrants had been displaced by civilians and organised vigilante groups. It highlighted reports of abductions, looting, destruction of migrants’ property and businesses, unlawful evictions by landlords, and restrictions on access to essential services, including healthcare and education, stressing that these abuses were “in violation of their human rights protected under the Convention.”



Underlining the widespread use of racist hate speech and the dissemination of negative and harmful stereotypes against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers by civic movements, such as the Insizwa Nobunsizwa Development Foundation and March and March movement, particularly on the Internet and social media, the Committee said such rhetoric “fosters stigmatisation and intolerance and creates an environment of fear and insecurity for migrants.”



It further raised concerns over the lack of effective measures to address the root causes of recurring racial discrimination and hate crimes against migrants, including persistent socio-economic inequalities stemming from the apartheid era, as well as delays in the issuance and renewal of migrants’ identity documents and visas.



CERD also pointed to reports of inadequate action by law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to racist hate crimes and violence against migrants. The Committee was further concerned about the persistence of racial profiling and racially motivated excessive use of force by law enforcement officials.



It noted that racial discrimination and hate crimes continued to be underreported because of mistrust of law enforcement, fear of reprisals and harassment, and limited awareness of rights and complaint mechanisms.



The Committee welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement of 7 June 2026 condemning vigilantism, xenophobia, hate crimes and violence against migrants and warning against scapegoating migrants for South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. It, however, urged the State Party to step up its efforts and to address the root causes of racial discrimination and hate speech against migrants.



It called on the authorities to take measures against organised racist vigilante groups, including preventing their formation and proscribing and dismantling such organisations, and to work with media outlets, Internet service providers and social media platforms to combat hate speech and harmful stereotypes online.



The Committee also urged South Africa to ensure an effective, objective and proportionate law-enforcement response to racist violence, prohibit racial profiling and racially motivated excessive use of force, and provide safe and accessible channels for victims to report abuses.



It further called for adequate shelters and access to basic services for displaced migrants and urged the State Party to “ensure accountability and end impunity” through effective, thorough and impartial investigations into all reported abuses, including killings, looting, abductions, unlawful evictions, unlawful identity checks and home raids.

The Committee’s Decision, adopted under its Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure, which aims to prevent existing problems from escalating into conflicts and to respond to situations requiring immediate attention to prevent or limit serious violations of the Convention, is now available online.



ENDS

For more information and media requests in Geneva, please contact:
Vivian Kwok at [email protected], o
UN Human Rights Office Media Section at [email protected]

Background

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination monitors States Parties’ adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which, to date has 182 States Parties. The Committee is made up of 18 members who are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world, who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of States Parties.

Learn more with our animations on the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination!
Follow the UN Treaty Bodies on social media!

28/08/2026

We are here for you!

21/08/2026

21/08/2026

ARMA AT NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SHOWCASE 2026

Today, African Refugee And Migrants Aid (ARMA) is honoured to participate in the Northwestern University (NWU) Community Engagement Showcase 2026, following the invitation to encourage meaningful participation and engagement between universities, communities and key stakeholders.

Our presentation focuses on important issues affecting our communities, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), social injustices, the rights of marginalised and voiceless communities, social cohesion in schools and communities, ongoing xenophobia in South Africa, and access to higher education for refugees and asylum seekers.

ARMA strongly believes that every person deserves dignity, protection, equal opportunities and the right to be heard, regardless of nationality, migration status or background.

🎓 A CALL FOR INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION

Education has the power to transform lives. Refugees and asylum seekers should not be left behind because of financial, social or administrative barriers.

We therefore call upon North-West University and universities across South Africa to continue strengthening support and creating inclusive opportunities for qualified refugee and asylum-seeking students.

ARMA particularly calls upon North-West University to consider scholarship and bursary opportunities for deserving refugee and asylum-seeking students, enabling them to further their studies, develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to society.

Education has no borders. Talent should not be excluded.

🤝 ARMA–NWU FOUR-YEAR RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP

ARMA is proud to announce and celebrate its partnership with North-West University on a four-year research project entitled:

“Strengthening Community Voices – A Participatory Approach to Addressing Social Justice Issues in South African Schools.”

This important project aims to address social justice issues in South African schools through a participatory approach, ensuring that communities are not merely subjects of research but active participants in identifying challenges, generating knowledge and contributing to solutions.

The collaboration with ARMA will contribute to ensuring that the voices of local communities, migrants, refugees and other marginalised groups are heard and meaningfully included.

The project aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

📚 SDG 4 – Quality Education
⚖️ SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
🕊️ SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

👏 PROUD OF OUR RESEARCH TEAM

As an organisation advocating for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in South Africa, ARMA is proud to be part of this important research journey alongside:

1. Mr Malipo Lukandamiza Mbalanga
2. Prof Newly Marongwe
3. Ms Vernique Diedricks
4. Dr Elize Kung
5. Mr Helgaardt Meintjes
6. Ms Annerie Kruger
7. Dr Carmen Joubert

We look forward to the next four years of research, learning, community participation, evidence-building and meaningful social transformation.

Together, we can strengthen community voices, promote social justice, challenge discrimination and xenophobia, build social cohesion, and ensure that no one is left behind.

Research with communities, not simply research about communities.

“Nothing About Us Without Us.”

EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid
IOM - UN Migration
UNHCR
United Nations
Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum
UNHCR Southern Africa
Ezekiel L M Mbalanga
Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia - KAAX
Oxfam
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
SADC
European Parliament

19/08/2026

As we celebrate World Humanitarian Day, we also remember our fellow colleagues killed in Gaza.

Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia - KAAX
United Nations
NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum
UNHCR
IOM - UN Migration
Oxfam
UNHCR Southern Africa
EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid
EU International Partnerships
European Parliament
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

13/08/2026

The month of August is the month of celebrating women of all colour.

From ARMA team: Happy Woman’s Month



Here’s to all of you beautiful ladies….the whole month is yours!

African Refugee And Migrants AidUNHCRSouthern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia - KAAX Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town United Nations masifunde learner development IOM - UN Migration NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid

25/07/2026

Happy Birthday to our Founder and Executive Director Ezekiel L M Mbalanga

We extend our birthday wishes to you and acknowledge the impact of your work in the community we serve.

Happy Birthday 🎉🥳🎉🎉

21/07/2026

Today, the 20 July 2026 marks 3 months since African Refugee And Migrants Aid welcomed 9 interns.