Urgent Update!
SUMMER TIME ….and the living is easy …George Gershwin and DuBose
Heyward composed and had written this song in the middle of the Great Depression
when the ‘liven’ wasn’t easy for most.
However, #1 …
Their tune soon became a jazz
classic!
However #2 …
Today the living is less than easy for many across our globe
Currently in S.A. foreign nationals are being displaced in droves of over 1,000 on the
streets awaiting buses back to their nations. Other non-nationals are being chased,
bullied, and fearful for their very lives.
The Pastoral management of our local rescue house in S.A. submits the following:
KWAZULU-NATAL CHRISTIAN COUNCIL
50 Langalibalele Street - P.O. Box 2035
Pietermaritzburg 3200 South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 33 3454819
Fax: +27 (0) 33 3949965
Email: info@kzncc.org.za
12 June 2026
A Pastoral Reflection on Migration and Social Tensions in KwaZulu-Natal by KZNCC EXECUTIVE
“Do Not Turn Away the Stranger” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
We share a deep concern about the growing hostility, intimidation, displacement, and violence directed at foreign nationals in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the adverse impact this has on our citizens. Communities in areas such as Nqutu, Estcourt, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, and eThekwini have been severely affected, resulting in fear, loss of livelihoods, displacement of families, and growing social tensions.
The Church acknowledges that our citizens are experiencing genuine hardships, including unemployment, poverty, crime, poor service delivery, and increasing economic pressures. As a church, we are concerned about undocumented migration, illegal trading, drug-related activities, and competition for scarce jobs and public services. We know that the real causes of community frustration lie deeper. High unemployment, corruption, weak governance, poor service delivery, inadequate enforcement of laws, and economic inequality continue to undermine social stability. These concerns deserve to be heard and addressed responsibly. However, no grievance justifies violence, intimidation, and vigilantism against people because of their nationality. Blaming vulnerable foreign nationals does not solve these problems; instead, it diverts attention from the structural challenges that require urgent intervention by government and society.
As Christians, we are reminded that God calls us to love and protect the stranger. Our response must therefore be guided by compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity. While wrongdoing by any individual, whether South African or foreign national, must be addressed through the law, collective punishment and mob justice have no place in a democratic and Christian society.
Here are our recommendations - Churches, faith communities, civil society organizations, and government should work together to:
i. Provide emergency food relief, blankets, warm clothes, sanitary packs(6000 of each).
ii. Support access to healthcare, chronic medication, and trauma counselling.
iii. Support local and foreign vulnerable women, children, and the elderly affected by displacement.
iv. Helping to coordinate temporary shelter for affected people involving churches, traditional leaders, SAPS, municipalities, and civil society.
Church leaders are involved in community dialogue and peacebuilding with leaders of marchers and of foreign nationals. We urge Government to urgently
(i) Strengthen law enforcement and public safety.
(ii) Improve immigration administration
(iii) Enforce labour, health, and trading regulations fairly, and
(iv) Address corruption, unemployment, and service delivery failures that fuel community frustration.
A Message of Hope - KwaZulu-Natal has a long history of overcoming conflict through dialogue, reconciliation, and community solidarity. Together we will restore peace and stability. By addressing legitimate community concerns while protecting the dignity and rights of all people, we can build safer, more inclusive, and more peaceful communities across our province.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
However # 3
Psalm 146:9 says, “The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustain the fatherless and the widows.”
We may not be able to help the masses, but we can help one
Continue in prayer for safety of all involved and especially for those residing and in support of our rescue house. We are requesting $100 or any monthly amount to supplement the outreach of House of Truth soup kitchen. These funds will help with support of local South Africans who attend the church with their need, as
well as those who desperately need voluntary repatriation. Specifically, we have one additional mouth to feed… soul to rescue… alongside her 2-week-old baby delivered on the streets this week.
Pray for wisdom in distribution
Ways to give:
-Zelle-
davemarj.dp@gmail.com
-Cash App-
$DaveMarjPatrickMin
Or
Mail Checks To:
David & Marjory Patrick
Kelley Town Senior Community
3396 GA-155 N Apt 120
McDonough, GA 30252
“We continue in prayer for you and remain joyfully, together in His service.”