South African President to Address Nation on Migration Strategy

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday about the government's strategy for managing migration, the presidency said. Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the address after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.

She said Cabinet had approved a comprehensive approach developed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration and the National Action Plan on Migration.

Background measures already in place Government established the Border Management Authority in 2023 to enforce border laws at land, air, and maritime ports of entry. The Department of Home Affairs has increased deportations of undocumented foreign nationals each year since 2022.

Cabinet approved the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection in March 2026. The document followed public consultations across all nine provinces that received thousands of submissions.

Policy priorities in the White Paper The White Paper sets goals to reduce fraud, strengthen national security, expand digital services, and support economic development. Officials describe the changes as the largest reform of citizenship, immigration, and refugee rules in a generation.

The Department of Employment and Labour completed the National Labour Migration Policy, which sets maximum quotas for documented foreign nationals and allows prosecution of employers who hire undocumented workers. Cabinet also approved the Employment Services Amendment Bill for submission to Parliament.

The bill would give the Minister of Employment and Labour authority to set employment quotas for foreign nationals by sector or occupation.