Breaking Borders: Extraordinary stories of migrants

Launched on Africa Day (25 May), a new five-part series of radio documentaries chronicling the lives, challenges, dreams, and positive contributions of migrants living in South Africa, is hitting the airwaves. In ‘Breaking Borders’, five migrants tell their stories of where they came from, what life is like for them in their new home, and what their goals are for the future.

Produced by CMFD (Community Media for Development) Productions for FAHAMU Networks for Social Justice, with support from the Open Society Foundation (OSF), the Breaking Borders project brought together South African community radio journalists and both internal and external migrants to collaboratively produce the documentaries. By working together, migrants had an opportunity to access media and tell their stories, while building capacity of radio journalists to report on migration issues with a human face.

Southern Africa has a long history of mobile populations. Economic and political instability in neighbouring countries means that South Africa is at the focal point of this movement. Many come from countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, etc, looking for a better life, yet often find difficulties and hardships. Migration is an important part of South Africa’s social fabric. Yet we rarely hear the stories of how it is for a Zimbabwean to leave their home, or what it is like to be a refugee from Congo, qualified to be a teacher or nurse, and unable to find any kind of work in their new home country. This project aimed to address this gap in media access.

In her story, Jenny Ndamwemezi,* tells of how in 1994 she and her younger sister fled Burundi after their parents were killed in the civil war. When they arrived in South Africa they had nowhere to go and the young girls slept on the streets until a family friend found them and took them in. Two years later, she was brutally gang raped while walking home from school. She was only 14.

Like many migrants who suffer sexual abuse, she did not report the incident to the police, or go to a hospital. She still struggles to cope with the psychological effects of the rape. ‘Sometimes I used to blame myself, even now, I do blame myself sometimes,’ she says, ‘but when I sit, I say no it was not my fault. It was nobody’s fault.’ Yet like many who seek a better life in peaceful countries Ndamwemezi has worked hard to overcome the trauma she experienced. She now volunteers her time helping other refugees, especially women, resettle.

Similarly, Darius Kwigomba is a 32-year old refugee activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo. When Kwigomba arrived in South Africa, he struggled to access services available for refugees because he did not know what rights he had. He is now working as a refugee activist helping other migrants and refugees. ‘I have joined an organisation called co-coordinating body of refugee and migrant communities (CBMRC),’ he says. ‘We try to help refugees to know their rights. Most of them they don’t know their rights so the CBMRC is willing to help them.’

Other stories tell of what it is like to be young and on your own in the big city, with big dreams of a future career that combines sports and education, as well as overcoming the traumatic experiences of xenophobia. Not all migration is from outside, and Ana Ndlomo talks about coming to Joburg from Mpumalanga, and the work that she now does around HIV awareness in the city centre.

The touching stories share insights into what it is like to leave home - from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Congo, Burundi, and even from within the country - and journey far away to the bright lights and big city of Johannesburg, a place full of both challenges and opportunities. What is clear from each story is that life is not easy for migrants living in Johannesburg, yet the contributions to the social, economic and cultural fabric of the country are as varied as they are.

The documentaries are being distributed free of charge to radio stations, along with a presenters’ guide to facilitate discussion.

To read more or listen online, find Breaking Borders on www.cmfd.org

To request more information or a copy of the CD, contact:

Deborah Walter
Community Media for Development (CMFD) Productions
PO Box 66193, Broadway 2020, JHB
South Africa
[email protected]
+27 (0)73 132 7032
http://www.cmfd.org

THE STORIES:

JENNY'S STORY

Jenny Ndamwemezi is a 25-year old refugee from Burundi. She and her younger sister were forced to leave their home in 1994 after their parents were killed in the civil war. When they arrived in South Africa four years later, they had nowhere to go and slept on the streets. Fortunately, a family friend found them and took them in. Two years later, Jenny was brutally gang raped while walking home from school. She was only 14. Like many migrants who suffer sexual abuse, she did not report the incident to the police, or go to a hospital. Jenny still struggles to cope with the psychological effects of the rape. She currently volunteers with Islamic Relief, assisting other refugees – particularly women and orphans like herself – and works hard to support her two loving children. LISTEN HERE...

ONYI'S STORY

Onyebuchi Onyejieke is a 20-year old Nigerian basketball player living in Johannesburg. He has lived in South Africa since he was 13 and is the sole provider for himself and his younger sister. He works as a basketball and soccer coach at a local high school to make ends meet. Onye dreams of one day playing professional basketball overseas, but knows that his sister’s welfare will always come first. Onye is one of thousands of young migrants making it on their own in South Africa. He is also one among hundreds of migrant athletes searching for better opportunities. LISTEN HERE...

ANA'S STORY

Ana Ndlomo is a young woman from Mpumalanga who migrated to Johannesburg in 2004. Soon after she arrived, she met Connie, who helped her find a place to stay and some work. In 2004, Ana discovered she was HIV positive, and probably contracted the disease from her husband. Ana struggled with the diagnosis, but eventually came to accept that it did not mean the end of her life. She now works part time with the sex worker’s advocacy organisation Sisonke, educating sex workers in hotels and on the streets about safer sex, condom use, and HIV counseling and testing. LISTEN HERE...

DARIUS' STORY

Darius Kwigomba is a 32-year old refugee activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo. When civil war broke out in 1998 he was forced to flee the country, and came to Johannesburg. When he arrived, he knew no one, had no place to stay, no food and no job. He struggled to access services available for refugees because he didn’t know what rights he had. He worked hard selling vegetables and working as a security guard to pay for college. He now works with the Coordinating Body of Migrant and Refugee Communities defending the rights of other refugees and migrants. LISTEN HERE...

FARAI'S STORY

Farai Chinomwe is a Zimbanwean musician living in Johannesburg. He came to the city after being given the opportunity to study. After his study plans fell through, he began to make his living playing the mbira – or finger piano. Farai is passionate about the mbira, understanding its spiritual significance. He is also passionate about music, and the ability of music to speak all languages and cross all cultures. In May 2008, Farai’s mbiras, as well as his home, were destroyed during the xenophobic attacks. The loss crushed his spirit. Since then, he has been working to bring people and communities together by planting trees and getting back to nature. LISTEN HERE...