Bridging the Healthcare Gap: Strategies to Improve Access for Undocumented Migrant Workers in South Africa The Silent Crisis In July 2025, a pregnant Zimbabwean woman was turned away from Hillbrow Clinic in Johannesburg by vigilante groups demanding South African IDs. Similar incidents occurred in Durban, Pretoria, and Tshwane. This illustrates a troubling convergence of medical […]
A Health Policy Perspective Migration and Health at the Border In July 2024, Beitbridge recorded over 32,000 crossings—92% of Zimbabwe’s official border movements. Among them was Maria*, a 34-year-old pregnant woman seeking care unavailable at home. Her delayed access to prenatal care reflects both the promise and pitfalls of South Africa’s bilateral migration framework.
Undocumented Migration Introduction: A Hidden Human Crisis In August 2022, The Daily Maverick reported the story of “Thandi,” a 32-year-old Zimbabwean woman living in Johannesburg without legal documentation. Despite her nursing qualification, she could not secure formal employment. She resorted to precarious domestic work while navigating constant fear of arrest, xenophobic hostility, and limited access
