91福利社

Use 91福利社.com or the new 91福利社 App to listen to 91福利社 podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Episode details

World Service,20 Jun 2026,23 mins

South Africa's migrant deadline

The Documentary Podcast

Available for over a year

For many undocumented migrants in South Africa, the past few weeks have brought uncertainty and fear about what lies ahead. South Africa is the continent鈥檚 most developed economy, attracting citizens from poorer countries seeking work. But it also has a high rate of unemployment 鈥 almost one in three are without jobs. Although (officially) foreigners make up some 6% of the population, many more migrants are believed to be in the country without papers. Protestors have told them they have until the end of June to leave, and some nations have already been repatriating their citizens. In our conversations, we bring together migrants to share their experiences of rising tensions. We also hear from people who have decided to return and South Africans who want an end to illegal migration. 鈥淔or us to fix this country of ours, we have to secure our borders,鈥 Olivier tells host James Reynolds. 鈥淧eople here illegally either they are criminals, or they are suffering in the process or they鈥檙e just getting a whole bunch of stuff for free and not contributing.鈥

Programme Website
More episodes