IOM South Africa

06/10/2026

Green, green, green - targets achieved 💚 Colours don’t lie and this one earned a round of applause 👏🏾

Today, at the SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders Review and Planning Meeting, the indicators show that implementing countries achieved their targets, demonstrating the real impact of the project and the lives changed along the way.

While we’re sad to see the project phase out, there is comfort in knowing the work was done, lives were changed, and sustainability is already in motion.

The project may be ending, but the impact continues.

06/10/2026

One mission: to close the SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders project with a bang! 💥

Everyone you see here, and the many colleagues who couldn’t join us for the Annual Review & Planning Meeting, is determined to do just that.

We’re in the final stretch, sleeves rolled up and ready to wrap up a programme that has transformed lives and strengthened communities across the region.

A heartfelt thank you to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique for supporting this important work and the lasting impact it has made 🙏🏾

Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa
Save the Children South Africa
IOM Eswatini
IOM Mozambique
International Organization for Migration Malawi
International Organization for Migration Zambia
IOM Zimbabwe

17/09/2026

“Every child belongs in school.”

Chief Kawaza of Zambia shared how village leaders and communities are identifying and supporting children who have dropped out of school due to challenges such as teenage pregnancy and child marriage.

The results speak for themselves: 557 out of 641 children who had left school are now back in the classroom 📚

16/09/2026

16/09/2026

The Final Regional Gathering of Religious and Traditional Leaders under the SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders Project reminded us that lasting change starts with community leadership. During the meeting, leaders shared inspiring progress in ending child marriage, keeping girls in school, and addressing gender-based violence.

As the project comes to a close, the momentum continues. The commitment and ownership shown by religious and traditional leaders give us confidence that these gains will be sustained for years to come.

Thank you to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique for supporting this journey from 2021 to 2026, and to the leaders and communities driving change every day 🫶

The project may be ending, but the movement continues ⚡

16/09/2026

"How can I start family planning when I'm only 15? People will judge me."

Read the story about how Jessica, a Change Agent in South Africa 🇿🇦 is helping young people in her home town of Musina access health services, including family planning & HIV-testing.

Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique
Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa
Save the Children South Africa
Future Families

The sharp aroma of chilli peppers fills the air as Jessica Sibanda switches on the blender in her kitchen in Musina, Limpopo. Bottles of spices line the counter

16/09/2026

📍Maputo, Mozambique 🇲🇿

Religious and Traditional Leaders from across Southern Africa have come together to celebrate progress and chart the next chapter in advancing the , rights, and wellbeing of young people.

In powerful opening remarks, IOM Mozambique Chief Ms. Dana Graber, Mr. Anthony Njoroge Save the Children South Africa, & Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Wietze Sijtsma recognized the vital role of religious and traditional leaders in preventing early child marriage, keeping girls in school, addressing GBV, reducing HIV-related stigma, and connecting young people to the information and services they need to thrive.

As the SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders programme draws to a close, one message was clear: the movement does not end here. The partnerships, leadership, and community action built over the past years will continue driving positive change across the region.

16/09/2026

A Change Agent championing Sexual and Reproduction Health Rights.

An entrepreneur turning homemade chilli into a thriving business 🌶️

Through IOM and Save the Children South Africa livelihoods component of the SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders programme supported by Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique, Jessica gained the skills and confidence to grow her business and discover her entrepreneurial potential.

"If it was not for the livelihoods course, I would not know I have a real knack for business or be where I am today."

Read the story of this powerhouse💪🏾

Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa
Future Families

The sharp aroma of chilli peppers fills the air as Jessica Sibanda switches on the blender in her kitchen in Musina, Limpopo. Bottles of spices line the counter

12/09/2026

Following a traumatic event, Clarice and her family make a fresh start in Musina, South Africa.

With support from IOM's SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders (KNB) programme, she was trained in tailoring and equipped with a start-up kit, promising a brighter future.

Read her story.

Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique
Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa
Save the Children South Africa
Future Families

The rhythmic hum of a sewing machine fills the small shop as 39-year-old Clarice Masengo carefully guides the orange fabric beneath the needle. With every

11/09/2026

Press Release

South Africa Strengthens Labour Migration Systems to Protect Workers and Support Economic Growth

Pretoria, South Africa, 11 September 2026 – The Government of South Africa, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is strengthening its capacity to implement the country's National Labour Migration Policy, helping ensure that migrant and South African workers alike can benefit from safer, fairer and better-managed labour mobility opportunities.

To support this effort, IOM, in partnership with South Africa's Department of Employment and Labour, convened a policy dialogue and capacity-building programme in Pretoria, bringing together senior government officials, members of the Employment Services Board, provincial and local implementers, and partners from government, the private sector and international organizations.

South Africa's National Labour Migration Policy, the country's first stand-alone framework dedicated to labour migration, provides a framework to align migration for employment with national development priorities, labour market needs, regional cooperation and the protection of workers.

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Employment and Labour, Deputy Director-General Mr Morotoba outlined South Africa’s institutional arrangements for managing labour migration, noting their alignment with relevant international protocols and International Labour Organization conventions. He acknowledged IOM’s technical support and highlighted the Department’s implementation plan, which prioritizes capacity building for Department officials and the Employment Services Board, the strengthening of labour migration systems, the review and renegotiation of bilateral labour agreements, and improved diaspora management.

Opening the programme, IOM emphasized that the policy's success will depend on the ability of institutions to translate commitments into practical action.

"The real test of any labour migration policy is not only whether it is well designed, but whether institutions are equipped to translate it into practical action," said Julia Hill-Mlati, Regional Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Officer, IOM South Africa. "This programme is intended to support South Africa's transition from policy commitment to implementation readiness."

The dialogue responded to priorities identified through an IOM Training Needs Assessment, including the need for practical guidance on institutional roles, coordination, labour mobility schemes, employer engagement, referral pathways, labour market information and protection mechanisms.

Participants examined how labour migration intersects with Public Employment Services, labour inspection, employer engagement, fair recruitment, grievance handling, worker protection and regional cooperation. Discussions also addressed South Africa's labour market realities, including high unemployment, sector-specific skills shortages, irregular migration and the need to protect both migrant and South African workers through balanced, evidence-based responses.

A key focus was strengthening coordination among institutions, improving labour mobility systems and enhancing the use of labour market information to support informed policymaking. Participants also examined South Africa's role within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including opportunities to promote safe and regular labour pathways, fair recruitment and regional cooperation.

The programme highlighted the importance of gender-responsive approaches to labour migration and is expected to support implementation through practical tools such as referral pathway maps, operational checklists, monitoring templates and employer engagement approaches.

"Labour migration governance is most effective when it is grounded in evidence, implemented through capable institutions and guided by the principle of decent work for all," said Malambo Moonga, Regional Thematic Specialist (Labour Migration). "This initiative supports the practical systems needed to make that vision operational."

IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of South Africa in advancing rights-based, gender-sensitive and development-oriented labour migration governance through technical assistance, practical tools and coordinated service delivery.

The initiative marks an important step towards implementing the National Labour Migration Policy and creating safer migration pathways, strengthening worker protection, supporting economic growth and contributing to inclusive development.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]