Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the South African government is implementing a five-pillar approach to address the country's migration challenges.
The strategy arrives as the government seeks to balance national security and legal enforcement with humanitarian obligations. Because migration is deeply tied to South Africa's historical and contemporary identity, the administration aims to prevent social instability while maintaining border integrity.
Speaking during oral questions in the National Council of Provinces, Mashatile said the government's response must be balanced. He described the necessary framework as one that is firm, fair, and compassionate.
According to Mashatile, the government is implementing a comprehensive approach based on five pillars [1] to address migration challenges. This multi-faceted strategy is intended to manage the flow of people into the country while ensuring that legal processes are followed.
"We need a firm, fair and compassionate approach to migration," Mashatile said.
The Deputy President said that migration remains a central part of the national story. By utilizing the five-pillar system [1], the government intends to tackle the systemic issues that lead to irregular migration and the resulting pressure on public services.
This policy framework aims to streamline how the state identifies and processes migrants. The government believes that a compassionate approach, combined with firm enforcement, will reduce tensions within local communities and ensure the law is applied equitably to all arrivals.
“We need a firm, fair and compassionate approach to migration.”
The shift toward a formalized 'five-pillar' strategy suggests that South Africa is attempting to move away from ad hoc migration management toward a systemic policy. By emphasizing 'compassion' alongside 'firmness,' the government is attempting to mitigate the risk of xenophobic violence and social unrest while still asserting state sovereignty over its borders.
