This is the second webinar in our series on ‘Migration, health and wellbeing in context’, a joint initiative between the CoRE, the Gendered violence & poor mental health among migrants in precarious situations (GEMMS) Global Health Research Group, the Nuture4Youth Global Health Research Group and theAfrican Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), Wits University.
Watch the on YouTube with captions.
Exploring the crises connecting migration, violence, health and wellbeing in South Africa’s town and cities
This webinar facilitated an evidence-informed conversation about the intersecting and multi-level dynamics of migration and urbanisation and their impacts on population health and well-being in South Africa. Central to current debates is the need to focus on the structural and interpersonal violence – including that promoted by anti-foreigner vigilante groups – that remain defining features of life in many urban settings. It seeks to move beyond abstract policy debates by grounding discussion in real, tangible experiences and challenges, while also highlighting pathways toward more inclusive, equitable, and health-promoting urban futures.
Discussions focused on the intersections of migration, urbanisation, and health in South Africa. Diego Iturralde of Statistics South Africa highlighted South Africa’s 2025 mid-year population of 63.1 million, with 60% residing in urban centres. Silindile Mlilo from the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at Wits University reported on the Xenowatch project findings, revealing increased health xenophobia, particularly in Johannesburg and Durban, affecting women and children. Rebecca Walker of ACMS emphasised the role of the Collective Voices for Health Access coalition in challenging exclusion and advocating for migrants’ rights. Federica Duca from the Johannesburg Crisis Working Group at Wits University underscored the compounding crises in Johannesburg, stressing the need for a rights-based approach to urban governance. The discussions were led by Lorena Nunez from the School of Social Sciences at Wits and underscored the urgency of addressing structural violence and exclusion in healthcare access.