02 March 2015, Pretoria: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will take part in the Mail & Guardian Africa African Truth Dialogue set to take place on March 3rd at Wits University. The dialogue will examine issues around the continuous rise of antipathy towards foreign nationals which threatens tolerance and peace within the Africa-rising narrative.

This dialogue comes after the country experienced violence towards foreign nationals that erupted in Soweto and later spread to various parts of South Africa in January. As part of this dialogue, six experts will discuss possible solutions to address this issue.

Richard Ots – Chief of Mission for IOM South Africa, will form part of the dialogue, as well as Her Excellency Ambassador Uche Ajulu – Okeke – the Consulate General of Nigeria, Clementine Nkweta-Salami – the Regional Representative of the UNHCR, Andries Viviers – Education Specialist at UNICEF, Jean Pierre Misago – Researcher at the African Centre for Migration & Society, and Marc Gbaffou the Chairperson of the African Diaspora Forum.

Mr. Ots says the organization is happy to support and be part of this dialogue as it is aligned with IOM’s vision to advance understanding of migration issues.

“This dialogue comes at a time where we are rigorously engaging with our partners as far as migration is concerned, especially government, civil society groups and the media.  We are placing emphasis on changing the general migration dialogue altogether. Migration, in the minds of many people, has come to be associated with lootings, violence, xenophobia, and other social ills. That does not reflect the everyday realities of migration in South Africa. Most migrants are well-integrated and productive members of society, who bring significant positive cultural and socio-economic contributions to South Africa. Migration as old as mankind; it has helped mankind develop and spread throughout the earth, it does not deserve the bad reputation that it has acquired”.

The event will take place at the University of the Witwatersrand, Senate House, 2nd Floor, Senate Room East Campus from 18:30.