Fostering embracement, inclusion and integration of migrants in complex migration situations: A perspective from Matthew 25:31–46 and Hebrews 13:1–2

Abstract

Faith leaders including Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and South African Human Rights Commissioner (SAHRC) Reverend Chris Nissen have allegedly been assaulted by refugees currently occupying the Greenmarket Square Methodist church in Cape Town. (n.p.)Comparing the above scenario to a 'hostage situation' (Kiewit 2019) further portrays migrants in a negative light and strengthens their stereotyping as a growing criminal element in the country. This stereotype is reinforced by inflammatory remarks from prominent figures such as Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General, Deliwe de Lange, who stated in 2017 that 'about 60% of [the] suspects arrested for violent crimes in the province were illegal immigrants' (Van Lennep 2019).

Shifting negative migrant categories to encourage embrace and inclusivity: Perspective from Matthew 22:34–40

“…In my view, whilst the media and governments should be on the frontline of deconstructing these stereotypes and labels that are ascribed to migrants (Heleta 2018), I concur with Brunsdon and Magezi (2020) that the church should also play its role as a community of God that is divinely sanctioned to look after vulnerable people. Stated otherwise, because these perceptions and stereotypes of migrants have become firmly rooted in society, the church is reminded of its own calling to be a spiritual community that ought to respond in alternative ways to the needs of the vulnerable, such as migrants.…”

“…Shezi (2017:1) noted that in a media briefing in 2017, David Mahlobo, the Minister of State Security, gave disputable figures on the population of foreign prisoners across South Africa. Heleta (2018) and Brunsdon and Magezi (2020) agree with Shezi (2017) and beg for more realistic reporting on the statistics of foreign nationals who are serving their time in South African prisons, as there is sometimes over-reporting of at least 2 million above the official figures, which tends to create a sense of panic amongst the local population, leading them to blame migrants for local deficits, such as the high crime rate and unemployment (Shezi 2017).…”

“…… the victimisation of black South Africans is being replaced by the victimisation of African foreigners, noting that not only are more and more citizens becoming more xenophobic but they also perceive almost exclusively. (p. 296) Furthermore, migrants are also stereotyped in many and different ways by their host communities (Brunsdon & Magezi 2020). For instance, in South Africa, this stereotyping mainly revolves around perceived economic and criminal challenges (Brunsdon & Magezi 2020).…”

“…(p. 296) Furthermore, migrants are also stereotyped in many and different ways by their host communities (Brunsdon & Magezi 2020). For instance, in South Africa, this stereotyping mainly revolves around perceived economic and criminal challenges (Brunsdon & Magezi 2020). At this juncture, it is important to note that the connection between migrants and criminal activities is not coincidental (Brunsdon & Magezi 2020), as it is deeply rooted in incidents where migrants have been associated with specific unlawful acts, as noted in research studies by Plucinka (2015:n.p.…”

“…It is apparent that both migrants and natives get involved in crime, so there is no need to point fingers at the latter as if they are the only ones who commit crime (Shezi 2017:1). Ascribing these negative labels to migrants only exacerbates xenophobia and the migration dilemma, instead of yielding sustainable solutions to this global crisis, that is, developing proper programmes of integrating migrants into the local population (Brunsdon & Magezi 2020).…”