Transformations in migration in Africa: Evaluating educational challenges of refugees children in Giyani – Limpopo Province, South Africa

Connie Babane (Department of Education, School of the Social Sciences, University of Limpopo, South Africa)

Email: BABANEC@ul.ac.za

 

ABSTRACT:

Migration, asylum seekers and refugees have become hot topics of debate in South Africa as a result of the ongoing transformations in economic integration, political instability resulting in intra and international wars and poverty in Africa. South Africa has become one of the popular destinations for migrants from the African continent and the majority of them are from the SADC region. The migrants who are adults also come with them children who unfortunately are the most devastated, most vulnerable and most affected by migration.

The aim of this paper is two fold. Firstly, it attempts to explore the educational challenges and transformations of migrant children from Mozambique in Giyani (Limpopo province). The second aim is to explore the extent to which existing psychotherapies based on African cultures can assist in restoring meaning in existence in the lives of the children. The paper attempts to evaluate the challenges faced by the children and best ways of helping them through indigenous based psychotherapy approaches. This will then inform appropriate recommendations for Government particularly the immigration department of South Africa and also with implications for migration policies, research and psychotherapeutic practices.