Introduction
This edition of our newsletter was supposed to be delivered at the end of May. However, I decided to await the outcome of our general elections in South Africa, then the formation of our coalition government, and the announcement of the cabinet. Now, it is the end of June. Meanwhile, there is also significant turmoil in Kenya, which I will discuss later.
South African Elections
We now have election results, a new cabinet, and most people in South Africa agree, except for a large percentage of voters in KwaZulu-Natal and possibly EFF supporters, that the outcome provides real hope for positive change. One of the most notable outcomes is that the ANC accepted the negative result peacefully and respected the voters’ decision. The DA, contrary to my earlier concerns, joined the GNU and agreed to significant concessions to make a difference.
A critical observation from the elections is that at least a third of the country’s voters do not believe in the Constitution, division of power, and a non-racial society. This includes voters from the MK, EFF, PA, and part of the ANC. Voters largely cast their ballots along racial and tribal lines, indicating that supporters of a centrist, liberal, social democratic, and constitutional democracy in line with Western principles are in the minority in South Africa.
Within the ANC, the anti-Ramaphosa, state capture faction remains strong, influencing major decisions such as the withdrawal of the Minister of DTI position from the DA. Despite this, the GNU is expected to strengthen our democratic institutions by increasing parliamentary oversight and reducing the ANC’s unilateral decision-making. Additionally, operational improvements are anticipated, such as the significant reduction in the opening times for the Self Assistance shop, which should help reduce corruption.
The new cabinet is diverse, fairly young, and includes capable individuals in important ministries. However, appointing a capable Minister does not guarantee the reversal of 20 years of service delivery failures. Key positions like the Director General and powerful trade unions are crucial, but policy changes by a Minister can still have a significant impact. Overall, the new government provides hope for most people, and our president might have found his role in which he can shine. He is widely recognised as a master negotiator who can bring people together.
New Minister of Home Affairs
Leon Schreiber, according to his LinkedIn profile, obtained his PhD at the FU in Berlin and was at Princeton thereafter. For the past five years, he served as the Shadow Minister for Public Service and Administration, making him familiar with the challenges the public faces with the DHA. Expectations are high for Schreiber to continue the good policy path set by the previous Minister, including finishing outstanding legislation like the scorecard for the general work visa. He should also focus on reducing the massive backlog for spousal visas and other categories, reversing the unfair delays of up to two years.
Furthermore, Schreiber needs to provide real leadership and change the negative narrative around immigration, emphasising its positive impact both externally and within the Department. Long-term goals should also include fixing the current appeals process, as it takes far too long for it to be meaningful or impactful at this time. This is crucial, as many government employees’ families depend on their income, despite the comparatively high pay for the output provided. You can watch my latest video here to learn more.
More South African Immigration Updates
Dr Schreiber has already made his first positive mark on the Department by extending temporary visa concessions to protect applicants from adverse consequences due to processing delays. This extension should be welcome news for foreign nationals awaiting visa, waiver, and appeal decisions. The previous concession expired on the 30th of June, and there had been no indication of a further extension until now.
Regarding overstay appeals, all individuals seeking appeal will now undergo a virtual interview to assess the validity of their claims. These interviews will be conducted through either MS Teams or Skype, depending on accessibility.
Turmoil in Kenya
In Kenya, Gen Z has started protests against the new Finance Bill, earning admiration from older generations. This marks the first time in Kenyan history that a protest is supported by all tribes and levels of society. Unfortunately, the violence of the protest was most likely triggered by paid individuals. For us and our clients, this meant that we could not collect results safely for one week, and further delays are expected as Home Affairs staff are not able to go to work each day.
Conclusion
In summary, the South African elections have brought hope for positive change despite the challenges ahead. The new government, with its diverse and capable cabinet, provides a promising outlook. In Kenya, the protests highlight a significant societal shift, though it has temporarily impacted operations. As always, we remain committed to navigating these changes and providing the best support for our clients.
Written by Andreas Krensel, Managing Director
Edited by Simon Carletti, PR and Creative Supervisor
