“And the Greatest of These Is Hope”: Reframing the Global Refugee Crisis

Abstract

The refugee phenomenon is indeed a shared human condition – affecting every sector of society. This article explores the meaning and relevance of hope in the lives of refugees. It analyses the extent to which hope features in their lived experiences and the impact of its role in empowering them to meet their manifold challenges. The study is a compendium of qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with refugee migrants in Cape Town, a wide range of existing scholarly literature, and the author’s lived experiences as a refugee migrant in several African countries. The aim of this evidence-based information is to provide a platform for research, advocacy, and mobilisation of the refugee populations in order to optimise their care and establish hope as an empowering resource. In so doing, the article highlights the primacy of hope in line with the African kairos of dread.

Refugee migrants as agents of change: Strategies for improved livelihoods and self-reliance

“…In view of this, as South Africa seems paralysed by the challenges posed by migratory pressure at its borders, it is time to stop considering refugees in South Africa as victims or problems, and to understand that they can become (or are already) agents of change, from whom will come the solutions that the local community seeks. In South Africa, data from research show that some refugees support one another socially and redefine the approach to the migration issue (Msabah 2016(Msabah , 2017(Msabah , 2018a(Msabah , 2018bMsabah & Bowers-Du Toit 2017). Far from the idea of being a 'burden' or creating a 'crisis', they transform the current situations they face into opportunity: that of enriching themselves with knowledge and skills to help other new refugee seekers who cross the borders to flee war or poverty (Rosenkranz 2013).…”

“…But when hundreds of thousands of people flock to your borders, these are not short-term challenges because many of them may not be in a position to return to their respective countries of origin. Based on previous waves of migration to and through South Africa, it is possible that a large proportion of them will remain in the country all their lives (Msabah 2017(Msabah , 2018a(Msabah , 2018b. Their children and grandchildren will be born in South Africa and will grow up in South Africa.…”

“…Very quickly, fears that refugees live on the margins of society and depend on government support would become reality (cf. Msabah 2016Msabah , 2017Msabah , 2018aMsabah , 2018bMsabah & Bowers-Du Toit 2017).…”

“…As a refugee I don't exercise all my rights; there are rights that a refugee cannot claim because he is not a citizen of the country; but a refugee student, for instance, should be allowed to apply for a loan to finance his studies. (p. 273) Msabah (2016Msabah ( , 2018a; see also Msabah & Bowers-Du Toit 2017) further points out that, in South Africa, refugees are now allowed to study and work, although finding work is still a challenge. This is because the refugees find themselves competing for jobs with local citizens who are always prioritised (see Amit 2013;Belvedere 2007).…”

“…In most African countries, the refugee phenomenon is often bred by serious violations of human rights and by conflicts or various other forms of violence (Msabah 2016(Msabah , 2018a. Ferris' (1993:68) claim that 'from time immemorial, people have always sought to move when they were unable to survive' is testimony to the fact that migration has been happening long since and explains why Harzig, Hoerder and Gabaccia (2009:8) argue that 'the history of humanity is a history of migration'.…”