Somali Association of South Africa - SASA

On May 8th, 2026, The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Somali Association of South Africa - SASA, successfully hosted a vital community dialogue focused on peacebuilding, social cohesion, and trauma.

We extend our sincere gratitude to every resident who participated, generously shared their perspectives, and engaged with open minds. Your presence and contributions were fundamental to the dialogue's profound impact.

We were honoured to welcome representatives from the Congolese Civil Society of South Africa and the Bellville SAPS Community Forum, alongside many dedicated community members. The insights and lived experiences shared are what truly enrich these conversations and drive meaningful progress.

A special thank you to our expert facilitators, all participants, and every partner organisation for helping to cultivate a safe and brave space for honest and constructive discussion.

At SASA, our commitment to these critical issues continues. We will persist in raising awareness, fostering community engagement, and working collaboratively to build belonging, safety, and healing that extends far beyond a single dialogue

Empowering Communities Through Education: Somali Association of South Africa - SASA's Transformative Development Programme

At Somali Association of South Africa - SASA, we believe that education is the fundamental driver of societal change. 🔑 Our Development Programme is tailored to uplift and equip refugee, stateless, asylum seeker, and migrant communities, building self-reliance and supporting their successful integration into South Africa's vibrant economic and social landscape. 🌍

This impactful programme is structured around six interconnected pillars:

Adult English Classes: Delivering three-month courses per level, enabling Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Migrants, Stateless individuals, and South Africans to master English reading, writing, and speaking. 🗣️📖
Youth Workshops: Uniting diverse youth for peer-to-peer training, invaluable career guidance, and relationship-building with caring adults, thereby bridging the divide between resourced and under-resourced young people. 🚀🌟
School Bridging Project: Providing continuous learning opportunities for children not yet registered in public schools, ensuring their educational journey progresses. 📚✏️
Sports Project: Offering dynamic recreational activities that actively combat gangsterism, substance abuse, and school dropouts, while simultaneously fostering social cohesion within communities. 🥅🤝
Skills Development Project: Annually empowering women with practical skills such as sewing and make-up training, paving their path to financial independence. ✂️💅
Women and Self-Reliance Workshops: Annually serving women by enhancing their access to vital rights concerning health, education, and security, complemented by personal development courses in parenting, counselling, and women's health. 🌷💡

We invite you to access these invaluable services directly at our offices. Simply walk into our reception, reach out via phone, or send us an email. Our compassionate team stands ready to welcome you and connect you with the appropriate support. 👋💚

Beyond the headlines, the policies, the court rulings, and the Home Affairs backlogs, there are young people
Who call South Africa home. Who study without Identity documents and work without formal contracts
Who dream without permission
Over the next few months, we will share stories featuring the voices of stateless youth in South Africa. One theme per month:
🔵 Identity (Born here. Raised here. Erased here)
🟠 Education (The classroom that closed its doors)
🟡 Work (The labour that doesn't count)
🟣 Mental health (The weight of being a ghost)
🔴 The future they still believe in (What we would build)
This is not about fixing. It is about pausing. Listening. Seeing those left behind.
As one young person said: "We have learned to grow where nothing is planted."

On World TB Day, we teamed up with our incredible partners in Bellville to spread crucial awareness about Tuberculosis (TB)! 🌍 It's a disease that affects millions, but here's the powerful truth: TB is both curable and preventable, and early testing is a game-changer for saving lives.

Our mission was clear: empower communities to Test, Treat, and Triumph! 💪 We shared vital information on how TB spreads, the symptoms to watch for, and why seeking help early is so important. It was eye-opening to hear community members' questions, especially those unfamiliar with symptoms or who believed TB didn't concern them. We emphasised that symptoms aren't always obvious and encouraged everyone to visit their nearest clinic for a check-up.

We also highlighted where to access free testing and treatment services, and worked hard to break down the stigma that often prevents people from getting the care they need.

Our message was simple and powerful: Early testing saves lives. With prompt diagnosis and the right treatment, TB can be cured, protecting your loved ones and community from its spread. Support, care, and effective treatment are available – no one should suffer in silence.

Let's unite to end TB! Get tested today!

Addressing Statelessness in South Africa: A Critical Constitutional Imperative.

South Africa faces a profound constitutional crisis: statelessness. While Section 28 of our Constitution guarantees every child the right to a nationality, an estimated 4.4 million individuals aged 16 and above lack legal identity – no ID, no birth certificate, no state recognition. The Department of Home Affairs itself has termed this a "silent crisis," impacting both foreign-born individuals and South African citizens whose identities are lost to systemic failures.

A notable development is the December 2025 Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection. For the first time, this document formally recognises statelessness as a policy concern requiring government intervention. This acknowledgement, despite civil society's reservations about specific provisions, represents a vital step forward.

The ramifications of statelessness extend beyond legal technicalities; they constitute a severe human rights violation. Individuals are systematically denied access to essential services such as education and healthcare, legal employment, and their inherent dignity.

Our constitutional framework and international treaty obligations are strong. The core issue is consistent and effective implementation. To resolve this, we advocate for:

Strengthened systemic accountability within the Department of Home Affairs.
Mandatory compliance with court orders upholding the right to nationality.
Targeted legal reforms to close gaps that render children stateless.
Proactive leadership that prioritises this crisis with the urgency it demands.

Ending statelessness in South Africa is achievable. It requires political will and concerted action.

On this significant Human Rights Day, the Somali Association of South Africa-SASA conveys its profound regards to all citizens across the nation.

We pause to honour the incredible sacrifices that have forged a society rooted in dignity, equality, and freedom. The Association proudly reaffirms its solidarity with South Africa, committing anew to fostering an environment of unity, mutual respect, and equitable justice for every individual.

We encourage continued collaborative efforts to safeguard and advance human rights universally.

Eid Mubarak 🌙✨
From all of us at SASA, we extend our warmest wishes to our dedicated staff and the communities we serve.
May this day bring peace, joy, and renewed strength to you and your loved ones. As we mark the end of Ramadan, we reflect on the values of compassion, generosity, and unity that continue to guide our work.
Wishing you a blessed and joyful Eid

Important Notice: Office Closure for Ramadan Observance

Our office will be closed from March 10th to March 23rd as our team observes the last ten days of Ramadan.

This period is dedicated to reflection and prayer for our colleagues. We appreciate your understanding and respect for this important time.

We will resume normal operations on March 23rd. Please plan any urgent inquiries accordingly, and we look forward to assisting you upon our return.

Thank you for your support. 🌙

On International Women’s Day, we reflect on the theme “Give to Gain.” Advancing gender equality requires generosity, collaboration, and shared responsibility. When we contribute our time, resources, and knowledge, we help create opportunities that empower women and girls everywhere.

Real progress happens when communities come together, uplift one another, and turn solidarity into action.
Let’s continue building a future where equality is not just a vision, but a lived reality. 💜✊🏾