Somali Association of South Africa - SASA

Celebrating New Leadership for SARLN Gauteng! 🗳️

On 25 July, the South African Refugee-Led Network (SARLN) Gauteng province held its provincial executive elections at Galore Sports and the SARLN office. It was inspiring to see such strong participation, with 14 out of 16 member organizations coming together to elect a new five-member executive team.

The election of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Treasurer was conducted with full transparency and integrity, supported by national leadership and partner organizations.

SASA is proud to be a member of this influential network. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected provincial executive committee! We look forward to continued collaboration and creating a meaningful impact in advocating for the rights and well-being of displaced communities.

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."