Navigating Asylum : Bureaucratic Power, Precarity, and Vulnerability in South Africa’s Refugee System

In recent years, South Africa’s handling of asylum seekers has become a focal point in discussions about refugee rights and the systemic challenges individuals face in the immigration process. Once celebrated for its progressive post-apartheid policies, the nation now grapples with criticism due to recurring xenophobic violence and the failures of its asylum system. These issues highlight the urgent need to address how bureaucratic processes can either protect or jeopardise the rights and dignity of those seeking refuge.

Navigating Asylum delves into these pressing issues by examining the nuanced narratives shared by asylum seekers, interpreters, and refugee status determination officers (RSDOs). This timely volume goes beyond existing literature by focusing on the intricate interactions during asylum interviews, arguing that these moments are critical in shaping the outcomes of asylum applications. By exploring the intersections of linguistic nuances, bureaucratic authority, and individual vulnerability, this work sheds light on the structural violence embedded in the asylum process. Angu offers a unique lens by investigating how language ideologies and rights impact the legitimacy of asylum claims and how these factors intertwine with the precarious lives of asylum seekers in South Africa.

Providing indispensable insights for scholars, policymakers, and advocates, Navigating Asylum is essential reading for anyone dedicated to understanding and reforming refugee systems. Through its critical analysis, the work aims to foster greater empathy and accountability, ultimately striving toward a more equitable system for those in desperate need of protection.