DSD AND BMA COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES AT BORDER POSTS

By Precious Mupenzi

• Social workers have a vital role to play in protecting vulnerable groups at South Africa’s border crossings, including undocumented migrants, victims of human trafficking, and children in need of care and protection. 
• The Department of Social Development and the Border Management Authority held a high-level strategy session in Pretoria on 28 February 2025 to address gaps in social service delivery at border crossings.
• The meeting was aimed at strengthening the partnership between the two entities and focused on implementing the strategy for the employment of social workers and other social service professionals.

The Department of Social Development and the Border Management Authority are committed to working together to address gaps in social service delivery at border crossings.

The two departments held a high-level strategic meeting on 28 February 2025 in Pretoria focusing on implementing the strategy for the employment of social workers and other social service professionals.

The meeting examined strengthening the partnerships between the two entities to address essential gaps in social service delivery, particularly in cross-border contexts.

The session, chaired by Acting Deputy Director General for Corporate Support Services Lumka Oliphant, explored avenues for collaboration, building synergies between social service professionals and border management officials, recognising the vital role social workers play in protecting vulnerable groups, including undocumented migrants, victims of human trafficking, and children in need of care and protection. 

Amanda Vokwana, the department’s director of Organisational Development and HR Planning, outlined the strategy for the employment of social workers and other social service professionals. The strategy was developed as part of a broader government effort to employ 55 000 social service professionals by 2030, in alignment with the National Development Plan. 

“This strategy is not just a vision; it is a collective commitment to building a social service sector that is responsive to the needs of our communities,” said Vokwana. “It seeks to address the employment gaps faced by social workers while ensuring that their skills are effectively utilised in both the public and private sectors.”

The country continues to face pressing social ills, including poverty, substance abuse, gender-based violence, child-headed households, and human trafficking, she emphasised. The strategy provides a framework for recruiting, training, and retaining qualified social service professionals to tackle these issues.

The strategy also introduces a funding and deployment model to ensure professionals are placed where they are needed most, including in border management operations.

Integrating social workers suggested

A significant part of the meeting focused on a proposal for collaboration between the Department of Social Development and the Border Management Authority, presented by Oliphant.

The proposal underscored the vital need to integrate social workers into the Border Management Authority’s operations, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. 

Oliphant highlighted that, like the South African National Defence Force, the South African Police Service, and the Department of Correctional Services, the Border Management Authority also requires dedicated social workers.

“Border posts are high-risk environments where social vulnerabilities intersect with security concerns.

“Social workers play an essential role in ensuring that individuals, especially children and victims of trafficking, receive the necessary psychosocial support and interventions in line with legislative frameworks,” she explained. 

Beyond assisting vulnerable groups, Oliphant stressed that social workers would also be instrumental in supporting the Border Management Authority’s personnel who are frequently exposed to traumatic and high-pressure situations.

“Border officials often deal with emotionally taxing cases, from human trafficking survivors to desperate asylum seekers. Having in-house social workers would provide much-needed psychological support and trauma counselling, ensuring the well-being of both staff and those they serve,” Oliphant added. 

“With the growing complexities of migration and border-related social issues, it is critical that social service professionals are part of border management processes. Their expertise in psychosocial support, child protection, and victim assistance will enhance the effectiveness of our interventions,” she said. 

The Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Peter Mphilo, acknowledged the financial constraints that have hindered the establishment of an independent social services unit within the agency.

While recognising the initial intent to develop internal capacity, he emphasised the necessity of collaboration with the Department of Social Development and provincial stakeholders. 

“We appreciate the assistance and cooperation from the provinces. The demand for social services at our border posts far exceeds supply, and this collaboration is critical in addressing those challenges,” Mphilo said. 

Assessing infrastructure requirements

He highlighted the need to assess infrastructure requirements at border posts, focusing on interception procedures, interview facilities, and the seamless handover of vulnerable individuals to inland social services.

“Mapping out the entire process, from the port of entry to final social service intervention, is crucial for us to determine what needs to be funded,” he added. 

Regarding funding strategies, the Mphilo inquired about the role of donor funding and private sector involvement in the employment of social workers.

He stressed the importance of understanding whether private players directly fund social worker employment or contribute to broader organisational initiatives. 

Moving forward, the Border Management Authority aims to refine its strategy by aligning funding mechanisms, infrastructure planning, and service delivery models to support social service professionals operating within border management effectively.

“We need to be guided in terms of requirements. A phased approach, where we employ one or two social workers per region to provide advisory services, would be beneficial.

“Currently, we rely on provinces for support, but their capacity varies, and assistance does not always arrive on time. Having dedicated social workers within border regions would help bridge this gap,” Mphilo stated.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring compliance with legislative frameworks, particularly the Children’s Act, given that many women who cross borders irregularly do so with children. The presence of social workers at border posts would help facilitate proper child protection interventions.

The Border Management Authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its partnership with the Department of Social Development, benefitting from its support, and actively participating in the broader interdepartmental task team to enhance social service provision within border management operations.