After South Africa Attacks: How Repatriated Malawians Are Rebuilding Their Lives
By Suleman Chitera
For many Malawians who returned home after fleeing attacks and hostility in South Africa, the journey back was filled with uncertainty, pain and difficult questions about the future.Over 22,000 Malawians Return from South Africa
Some arrived carrying only small bags containing their personal belongings. Others left behind businesses, jobs and homes they had spent years building. Now back in Malawi, they are slowly trying to rebuild their lives and find new opportunities in their communities.
The return home followed reports of attacks and growing tensions affecting some foreign nationals living in parts of South Africa. Many Malawians, fearing for their safety, chose to leave rather than risk losing their lives or property.Deportees Defy Border Procedures, Raising Concerns Over State Authority
Among those repatriated are families who had depended on South Africa for survival. Some worked in construction, informal trading, farming and domestic work, sending money home to support relatives.
“I left everything behind. I had a life there, but safety comes first,” one returnee said. “Now I have to start again from zero.”
For others, coming back has brought mixed emotions. While they are relieved to be safe, they face the challenge of finding income in an economy already struggling with limited job opportunities.
Local leaders and organisations have called for support to help returnees reintegrate into society. They say assistance with skills training, business support and access to economic opportunities could help families regain stability.
Some returnees have started small businesses, farming projects and other activities to survive. With determination and support from relatives, they are working to turn a difficult chapter into a new beginning.Malawians Stranded in South Africa Burn Clothes to Keep Warm While Waiting for Repatriation Buses
The experiences of these Malawians highlight the challenges faced by migrants who leave their homes in search of better opportunities but sometimes return after unexpected hardships.
As they rebuild, many say their hope is not only to recover what they lost but also to create a future where they can live and work with dignity in their own country.
