SACBC Migrants Refugees & Human Trafficking

09/06/2026

On 8 June, the Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Team of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered for an important moment of evaluation and planning.

📊 During the meeting, the team carefully reviewed the various activities carried out over the past two months, highlighting achievements, challenges, and key lessons learned in the ongoing mission of prevention, awareness-raising, and protection of vulnerable people, especially migrants, refugees, and potential victims of exploitation.

📅 At the same time, the team worked on preparing actions for the next two months, strengthening its commitment to safeguarding human dignity, enhancing protection networks, and promoting a more effective and coordinated response to human trafficking.

This process of reflection and planning remains essential to ensure consistency, impact, and fidelity to the Church’s mission of accompanying and protecting those most at risk.

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29/05/2026

📚✨ HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AT SCHOOL IN KGABALATSANE, MABOPANE ✨📚

On 29 May 2026, the SACBC Human Trafficking Awareness Team carried out an important awareness campaign at Maledu-Molepe Primary School, located in Kgabalatsane village, North West of Mabopane.

The awareness session was facilitated by Mr. Sello Mashaba during the school assembly and reached approximately 541 learners.

The activity focused on raising awareness about Human Trafficking, child protection, and the importance of prevention within schools and communities. Teachers and school staff warmly welcomed the initiative and emphasized that “prevention is better than cure".

Together, we continue building safer communities through awareness, prevention, and education. ✨🤝

29/05/2026

📚✨ Awareness and prevention week Against Human Trafficking with Teachers and Students in the Schools of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth ✨📚

The SACBC Anti-Human Trafficking Team carried out important awareness and protection work on Human Trafficking with teachers and students in schools across the Port Elizabeth region and surrounding areas. These were intense days of learning, participation, and hope for the future of young people.

📍 25 May 2026 – with teachers
📍 26 May 2026 – St Teresa Primary School
📍 27 May 2026 – St Mary’s School, Grahamstown
📍 28 May 2026 – St Joseph R.C. School, Uitenhage – Port Elizabeth

The participation of the students was excellent, and their interest in the topics presented showed the importance of this educational and preventive work.

The awareness and child protection activities were deeply appreciated by educators and the school communities, strengthening the commitment to forming young people who are informed, protected, and prepared for the future.

🙏 We thank all the schools, principals, teachers, and students for their warm welcome, participation, and commitment to the protection and development of children and adolescents.

28/05/2026

25/05/2026

🙏Diocese of Port Elizabeth

🌍 The SACBC Migrants Refugees and Human Trafficking Office is in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth this week, working with teachers and students on human trafficking prevention.

📖 The first day was dedicated to reflection with teachers, highlighting the crucial role of education in protecting communities and raising awareness. Prevention means empowering people with knowledge, courage, and solidarity to stop exploitation before it begins.

👥 The prevention team is represented by Mrs. Enency Mbatha and Mr. Efraim Charles Luhanga, whose commitment inspires hope for a safer and more just society.

Together, we stand against human trafficking — because every life deserves dignity and freedom.

23/05/2026

🇧🇼 Day 3 - Diocese of Gaborone - Botswana

🌍🤝 May 23 - On the third day, of the formation program, we had the meaningful participation of a group of parish leaders from the central region, gathered to reflect on the mission of the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees and the urgent need for the prevention of Human Trafficking. The 12 participants followed the sessions with great attention, openness, and deep concern for the growing migration realities affecting the region today.

💬📖 The discussions highlighted not only the challenges faced by migrants and refugees, but also the concrete pastoral response that our parishes and communities are called to embrace. With commitment and hope, the leaders reflected on practical action plans to strengthen awareness, protection, accompaniment, and human dignity within the Church and the city. A small group, but with hearts ready to make a great difference.

22/05/2026

🌍 Abuja - Nigeria

Bishop Joseph Marie Kizito, the Liaison Bishop of the SACBC Migrants, Refugees and Human Trafficking Office, participated in the PFAN Summit 2026 held in Nigeria from 18–20 May.

The conference focused on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery and was organized by the Archdiocese of Abuja in partnership with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

The gathering brought together Church leaders, experts, and partners committed to strengthening collaboration, raising awareness, and promoting concrete actions in the fight against Human Trafficking and modern forms of slavery. 🤝🌍🕊️

22/05/2026

From 11–15 May, 39 participants — including Talitha K*m Youth Ambas...

22/05/2026

🇧🇼 Day 2 – Diocese of Gaborone, Botswana

Today, May 22, at the Ave Maria Conference Centre Hotel in Gaborone, the training programme focused on the participation of young people in the prevention of Human Trafficking and the work of the Talitha K*m Network.

A total of 51 participants engaged in a comprehensive session dedicated to understanding the dynamics of Human Trafficking, prevention strategies, and the role of youth in safeguarding communities.

The session benefited from the expert facilitation of Mr. Stephen Tiroyakgosi, Advocate Ombudsman (Public Protector) from the Office of the Ombudsman in Botswana, who provided valuable insights into legal frameworks, protection mechanisms, and institutional responses to trafficking.

Further contributions were made by Sr. Tsepo Sengwatse and Sr. Popina Mohala from Talitha K*m Botswana and Talitha South Africa, who presented the network’s identity, spirituality, and mission in the prevention of Human Trafficking.

The SACBC team (Sr. Neide Lamperti, Sello Mashaba, and Godfrey Mvuma) coordinated the overall organisation and logistics of the encounter, ensuring the smooth running of the day’s activities.

21/05/2026

🇧🇼 Day 1 - Diocese of Gaborone, Botswana

Since May 20, the delegation of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference - SACBC Migrants, Refugees and Human Trafficking Office has been in Botswana, in the Diocese of Gaborone, for three days of formation, dialogue, and reflection with priests, religious sisters, young people, and diocesan leaders.

🌐 The gathering seeks to deepen reflection on the Pastoral Care of Human Mobility, the prevention of human trafficking, and the challenges surrounding migration legislation in the country, while also creating spaces for dialogue on protection mechanisms and procedures to combat human trafficking.

👥 The first day, May 21, gathered 40 participants and, in addition to the representatives of the SACBC and Talitha K*m South Africa, included the presence of two members from the Department of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights of Botswana, strengthening collaboration between Church and society in the promotion of justice, protection, and human rights. 🙏🏿🌱