Today one of the main challenges facing South Africa is the growing cross-border migration. In addition to the large number of undocumented migrants entering the country, South Africa receives monthly some 1,000 new asylum applications. This has resulted in an enormous backlog in the asylum procedure. The country is presently hosting some 55,000 asylum seekers, out of whom only 8,500 have been recognised as refugees. The majority of the refugees are from countries in the region affected by long-term conflict.
Xenophobia is on the rise in South Africa.
Thirty refugees and asylum-seekers have been killed in the last four years in attacks against foreigners. This campaign is a multi-year effort which seeks to mobilise a great number of actors, both in governmental fields as well as in civil society as a whole. For a list of tables in which South Africa appears, click here .