Migration-related support work

In view of its long and violent apartheid era, the Republic of South Africa has undergone a rapid transformation process since the end of apartheid. This has resulted in a self-image as a democratic state whose population is as diverse as the colors of the rainbow (rainbow nation). The narrative of the rainbow nation and its constitution, which is considered one of the most progressive in the world, positions South Africa as exceptional on the African continent, particularly as the 'pink capital of Africa' (see Davids/Matebeni 2017).

In recent years, the South African ANC government's migration policy has focused more on attempting to control migration and isolate black African migrants and refugees. At the same time, South Africa's migration policy is not coherent.

The planned study tour takes the social conditions outlined above as its starting point and focuses on

1. migration-related support structures, organizations and actors in the context of current social and political developments,
2. infrastructural bottlenecks in support work and challenges at the interface between civil society and academia,
3. how the negotiation of affiliations along racialized and sexual-gendered orders takes place in support work.

The focus of the study trip is on actors and organizations that provide support work with and for migrants and refugees who have migrated to South Africa from other African countries due to their sexual or gender identity. The focus on the complex of issues surrounding the negotiation of affiliations in migration-related support work will be examined qualitatively and by way of example during the study trip. During the study trip, guided expert interviews will be conducted with researchers, employees of organizations and activists in Johannesburg and the organizations will be visited. In addition, the students will visit central museums and places of remembrance of South African history (in particular the history of apartheid and the social struggles surrounding it).

Project management and organization: Verena Hucke, M.A.

Duration: 09/2022