The public debate surrounding "illegal undocumented" versus & "legal undocumented" immigrants
in South Africa often stems from a mix of political rhetoric, confusing legal administrative
definitions, and the interplay between the country&#39;s progressive Constitution and its rigid
immigration statues.
To understand what South African law actually dictates, one must look at the tension between
the Immigration Act, the Refugees Act, and the Constitution.

 

Colleen Makhubele in conversation with Ashraf Essop – Immigration Law Expert
Vuyolwethu Zungula – ATM Parliament Leader
Chris Nissen – South African Human Rights Chair

The public debate surrounding "illegal undocumented" versus &amp; "legal undocumented" immigrants in South Africa often stems from a mix of political rhetoric, confusing legal administrative definitions, and the interplay between the country&amp;#39;s progressive Constitution and its rigid immigration statues. To understand what South African law actually dictates, one must look at the tension between the Immigration Act, the Refugees Act, and the Constitution.
&nbsp;
Colleen Makhubele in conversation with Ashraf Essop &ndash; Immigration Law Expert Vuyolwethu Zungula &ndash; ATM Parliament Leader Chris Nissen &ndash; South African Human Rights Chair

POWER Perspective is a talkback that typically features no-holds-barred discussions ranging from politics and socioeconomic matters to religion and lifestyle topics. POWER Perspective brings you hard-hitting interviews and debates featuring all the big names in politics. This show has a dedicated fanbase of “Perspectivians” and is a must-listen to, to understand what is happening politically in today's South Africa.

POWER Perspective is a talkback that typically features no-holds-barred discussions ranging from politics and socioeconomic matters to religion and lifestyle topics. POWER Perspective brings you hard-hitting interviews and debates featuring all the big names in politics. This show has a dedicated fanbase of &ldquo;Perspectivians&rdquo; and is a must-listen to, to understand what is happening politically in today's South Africa.

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The Debate on Illegal Undocumented vs. Legal Undocumented: What the Immigration Law Actually Says?

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called on African universities to fundamentally rethink inclusion. Speaking at the 3rd Edition of the Times Higher Education
(THE) Africa Universities Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Manamela stressed that disability must be
treated as a central design principle rather than an afterthought, noting that current participation
rates highlight the scale of exclusion across the sector.
To illustrate the problem, the Minister pointed to recent data from South Africa, where students
living with disabilities accounted for just 1.3% of public university enrolments in 2023, and
roughly 1% across the broader post-school education and training system. “These are not
figures of inclusion at scale. They are signs of how much work remains to be done,” Manamela
said.
He further argued that meaningful inclusion requires systemic change that extends far beyond
initial admissions. The problem lies heavily within institutional infrastructure and how universities
are operated, meaning true progress will require restructuring the very way these institutions are
built and run.

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called on African universities to&nbsp;fundamentally rethink inclusion. Speaking at the 3rd Edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Africa Universities Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Manamela stressed that disability must be treated as a central design principle rather than an afterthought, noting that current participation rates highlight the scale of exclusion across the sector. To illustrate the problem, the Minister pointed to recent data from South Africa, where students living with disabilities accounted for just 1.3% of public university enrolments in 2023, and roughly 1% across the broader post-school education and training system. &ldquo;These are not figures of inclusion at scale. They are signs of how much work remains to be done,&rdquo; Manamela said. He further argued that meaningful inclusion requires systemic change that extends far beyond initial admissions. The problem lies heavily within institutional infrastructure and how universities are operated, meaning true progress will require restructuring the very way these institutions are built and run.

Disability Feature:  Manamela calls for disability inclusion in higher education systems

The South African government is stepping up its efforts to tackle the country’s pressing water
and sanitation crisis, backed by a massive financial commitment. During the current financial
year, the Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R12.3 billion in infrastructure grants
directly to municipalities. Delivering her budget vote speech in the National Council of Provinces
(NCOP) on Wednesday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina emphasized that the

19
government is actively rolling out decisive interventions. These measures aim to improve overall
water security, rehabilitate rapidly ageing infrastructure, and expand access to reliable water and
sanitation services across all nine provinces.
Despite these heavily funded initiatives, Minister Majodina openly acknowledged the harsh
realities still facing many citizens on the ground. She noted that numerous communities continue
to endure frequent water interruptions, highly disruptive sewage spillages, deteriorating
wastewater treatment systems, and severe levels of water losses.
Recognizing the urgency of these systemic failures, President Cyril Ramaphosa previously took
direct action by establishing the National Water Crisis Committee. Under his directive, the
committee is tasked with overseeing the swift and thorough implementation of the National
Water Action Plan to restore stability to the nation&#39;s water supply.

 

Colleen Makhubele in conversation with Deputy Minister David Mahlobo – Department of Water &amp; Sanitation

The South African government is stepping up its efforts to tackle the country&rsquo;s pressing water and sanitation crisis, backed by a massive financial commitment. During the current financial year, the Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R12.3 billion in infrastructure grants directly to municipalities. Delivering her budget vote speech in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina emphasized that the
19 government is actively rolling out decisive interventions. These measures aim to improve overall water security, rehabilitate rapidly ageing infrastructure, and expand access to reliable water and sanitation services across all nine provinces. Despite these heavily funded initiatives, Minister Majodina openly acknowledged the harsh realities still facing many citizens on the ground. She noted that numerous communities continue to endure frequent water interruptions, highly disruptive sewage spillages, deteriorating wastewater treatment systems, and severe levels of water losses. Recognizing the urgency of these systemic failures, President Cyril Ramaphosa previously took direct action by establishing the National Water Crisis Committee. Under his directive, the committee is tasked with overseeing the swift and thorough implementation of the National Water Action Plan to restore stability to the nation&amp;#39;s water supply.
&nbsp;
Colleen Makhubele in conversation with Deputy Minister David Mahlobo &ndash; Department of Water &amp;amp; Sanitation

The Debate on Illegal Undocumented vs. Legal Undocumented: What the Immigration Law Actually Says?

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