Somali Association of South Africa - SASA

Somali Association of South Africa - SASA The Somali Association of South Africa (SASA) was founded in 1996 as the first refugee-led community organisation in South Africa.

Today, SASA provides Advocacy and Development projects (Adult Education, Youth and Women Projects) to around 122,300 beneficiaries across the country. SASA runs two offices (Cape Town and Pretoria) and has representatives in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Durban, North West and Northern Cape. SASA was started to improve integration between South Africans and people who are migrants, refugees

and asylum-seekers. It also aims to liaise with the South African government and civil society organisations to help the Somali community. SASA is a founding member, and currently sits as chair, of the South African Refugee Led Network.

08/09/2026

🎧 Experience the power of voice.

In honour of International Literacy Day, we are providing a platform for our students to share their own stories. Listen to this poignant narrative of entering an adult English classroom for the first time—navigating the initial apprehension and emerging with a newfound sense of agency and empowerment.

Literacy transcends the basic ability to read and write; it is the gateway to confidence, opportunity, and a true sense of belonging.

💬 What does literacy mean to you? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.

👉 Visit the link in our bio to support our adult education programs or explore how you can volunteer.

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🇿🇦 HERITAGE MONTH IS HERE—AND SO IS THE BATTLE FOR BRAVING RIGHTS!Forget the braai tongs for one day—this September, we’...
07/09/2026

🇿🇦 HERITAGE MONTH IS HERE—AND SO IS THE BATTLE FOR BRAVING RIGHTS!

Forget the braai tongs for one day—this September, we’re swapping spices for soccer balls, netball nets, and a tug-of-war that’ll separate the legends from the legless. 😉

Join us on 24 September 2026 at the Bellville Sports Complex for a day where teamwork meets tradition, and friendly rivalry gets a proudly South African twist.

What’s on the cards?
⚽ Soccer – show us your footwork
🏐 Netball – net those points
💪 Tug of War – channel your inner ox

🏆 Prizes up for grabs! (Yes, actual trophies—not just bragging rights… well, those too.)

📅 When? 24 September 2026
⏰ Time? 09:00 – 17:30 (yes, it’s a full-day vibe)
📍 Where? Bellville Sports Complex

REGISTRATION IS OPEN—BUT NOT FOR LONG!
Don’t snooze—sign up between 1–20 September 2026.

Hit up one of these champs to register or ask questions:
📞 Davian: 076 387 5810
📞 Abdulhakim: 073 012 2094
📞 Sgt Neelse: 061 406 0351

This is more than sport—it’s community, culture, and a whole lot of spirit. So gather your squad, lace up your takkies, and come make memories (and maybe a few epic fails) with us.

Get your team. Get registered. We’ll see you on the field! 🇿🇦🔥

🤝🇿🇦 Social cohesion is not just an idea—it's something we must live.On 26 August, the Somali Association of South Africa...
07/09/2026

🤝🇿🇦 Social cohesion is not just an idea—it's something we must live.
On 26 August, the Somali Association of South Africa (SASA) participated in a powerful Capacity Enhancement (CCE) training on social cohesion and migrant integration, held in Zeerust from 24–28 August. The training was hosted by the Department of Social Development in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
📍 Zeerust | 24–28 August
During the training, participants came together.—refugees, migrants, and South African citizens—to listen, learn, and break down barriers.
📋 The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) walked us through permits, visas, and rights.
💬 we tackled tough questions: Why do people flee their homes? What do we lose if they're forced to leave? And what are the real frustrations on the ground?
One of the most powerful moments? A video co-created by SASA and the Congolese Civil Society of South Africa—featuring a South African man speaking honestly about racial prejudice, and a refugee woman sharing how she builds bridges with her neighbours despite the odds.
🤝 Social cohesion means living together, respecting each other, and making space for everyone to contribute.
Huge gratitude to DSD, Sport, Arts and Culture, DHA, UNHCR Southern Africa, human rights lawyers, SAPS, and every single participant who showed up with open minds and hearts.
Let's keep building—beyond boundaries, beyond bias, beyond borders. 💛

02/09/2026

Born here. Raised here. A student who excelled in high school, earning awards and leadership recognition from her teachers. Yet, when the time came to apply for university, she hit an invisible wall.

No identity document. No application. No path forward.

This is the reality of statelessness in South Africa. Thousands of individuals, born and raised within our borders, are systematically locked out of higher education, formal employment, and essential services simply because they lack documentation. Without legal recognition, they are pushed into the shadows of the informal economy—underpaid, overworked, and silenced by the fear of detention or deportation.

While the South African Constitution guarantees dignity and equality for all, critical policy gaps and administrative delays leave many in a state of legal limbo for years.

We are calling for faster, fairer, and more transparent pathways to documentation. Those who are born here, raised here, and contribute to the fabric of this society deserve to belong here. Documenting these individuals is more than a bureaucratic exercise; it is an act of restoring human dignity and opening the doors to a viable future.

Join the conversation. Demand systemic change. No one should be invisible in the country they call home.

Celebrating Women's Month with "Give to Gain: Threads of Ubuntu" 🌸This Women's Month, we hosted a powerful gathering of ...
30/08/2026

Celebrating Women's Month with "Give to Gain: Threads of Ubuntu" 🌸

This Women's Month, we hosted a powerful gathering of young and older women from refugee, migrant, stateless, and South African communities for a morning dedicated to connection, learning, and mutual empowerment.

Together, we mapped the issues impacting women in our society and discovered the strengths that unite us. We were joined by several incredible Cape Town-based organisations—MES, Changemakers Woman Empowerment Organisation, TASP, Reed Clinic, and SARLN—who shared the essential resources and support they provide to women in our communities.

The event culminated in a "web of support," where participants made tangible pledges to uplift and mentor one another. Because when women give their time and wisdom, the entire community gains. 💜🌍

Thank you to every woman who attended and shared her story. You are the threads that weave our community together.

🌸 Celebrating Women’s Day Through Community Health & WellnessOn 21 August, Somali Association of South Africa - SASA Gau...
26/08/2026

🌸 Celebrating Women’s Day Through Community Health & Wellness

On 21 August, Somali Association of South Africa - SASA Gauteng Province and Médecins Sans Frontières / MSF joined forces to host a Women’s Day health promotion event at our Pretoria office.

Our goal was to provide comprehensive support to the women in our community. Alongside our valued partners—Future Families, SAPS, Folang Clinics (Primary Health Care Outreach), the South African Refugee-Led Network (SARLN), Gauteng Department of Community Safety, and the UNHCR Southern Africa—we addressed vital topics including mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and community safety.

A special thank you to MSF for providing health screenings and sanitary kits to all participants. 💙

We are deeply grateful to the partners and community members who made this day a meaningful success. Together, we are building a healthier and safer future for everyone.


Celebrating New Leadership for SARLN Gauteng! 🗳️On 25 July, the South African Refugee-Led Network (SARLN) Gauteng provin...
03/08/2026

Celebrating New Leadership for SARLN Gauteng! 🗳️

On 25 July, the South African Refugee-Led Network (SARLN) Gauteng province held its provincial executive elections at Galore Sports and the SARLN office. It was inspiring to see such strong participation, with 14 out of 16 member organizations coming together to elect a new five-member executive team.

The election of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Treasurer was conducted with full transparency and integrity, supported by national leadership and partner organizations.

SASA is proud to be a member of this influential network. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected provincial executive committee! We look forward to continued collaboration and creating a meaningful impact in advocating for the rights and well-being of displaced communities.

22/06/2026

What an incredible day of sport and unity! 🌞⚽🏐💪

On 16 June, the Bellville Sports Complex hosted our Youth Sports Day—a dynamic event featuring fast-paced 5-a-side soccer, competitive netball, and a spirited tug-of-war that kept everyone cheering. Beyond the competition, the true highlight was seeing a diverse blend of cultures come together to celebrate Youth Day and Refugee Day as one united community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the partners who made this event possible: Voortrekker Road Corridor CID, Securitas, Shop2Shop, Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, Red Bull, Bellville Youth Crime Prevention, Bellville SAPS, Bellville CPF, and the many others working behind the scenes. Your commitment to our community is deeply appreciated.

To our young athletes: thank you for bringing your energy, heart, and exceptional sportsmanship. You are the reason we do this. Keep that team spirit alive until we meet again! 🙌

On May 8th, 2026, The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconcili...
11/05/2026

On May 8th, 2026, The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Somali Association of South Africa - SASA, successfully hosted a vital community dialogue focused on peacebuilding, social cohesion, and trauma.

We extend our sincere gratitude to every resident who participated, generously shared their perspectives, and engaged with open minds. Your presence and contributions were fundamental to the dialogue's profound impact.

We were honoured to welcome representatives from the Congolese Civil Society of South Africa and the Bellville SAPS Community Forum, alongside many dedicated community members. The insights and lived experiences shared are what truly enrich these conversations and drive meaningful progress.

A special thank you to our expert facilitators, all participants, and every partner organisation for helping to cultivate a safe and brave space for honest and constructive discussion.

At SASA, our commitment to these critical issues continues. We will persist in raising awareness, fostering community engagement, and working collaboratively to build belonging, safety, and healing that extends far beyond a single dialogue

Empowering Communities Through Education: Somali Association of South Africa - SASA's Transformative Development Program...
06/05/2026

Empowering Communities Through Education: Somali Association of South Africa - SASA's Transformative Development Programme

At Somali Association of South Africa - SASA, we believe that education is the fundamental driver of societal change. 🔑 Our Development Programme is tailored to uplift and equip refugee, stateless, asylum seeker, and migrant communities, building self-reliance and supporting their successful integration into South Africa's vibrant economic and social landscape. 🌍

This impactful programme is structured around six interconnected pillars:

Adult English Classes: Delivering three-month courses per level, enabling Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Migrants, Stateless individuals, and South Africans to master English reading, writing, and speaking. 🗣️📖
Youth Workshops: Uniting diverse youth for peer-to-peer training, invaluable career guidance, and relationship-building with caring adults, thereby bridging the divide between resourced and under-resourced young people. 🚀🌟
School Bridging Project: Providing continuous learning opportunities for children not yet registered in public schools, ensuring their educational journey progresses. 📚✏️
Sports Project: Offering dynamic recreational activities that actively combat gangsterism, substance abuse, and school dropouts, while simultaneously fostering social cohesion within communities. 🥅🤝
Skills Development Project: Annually empowering women with practical skills such as sewing and make-up training, paving their path to financial independence. ✂️💅
Women and Self-Reliance Workshops: Annually serving women by enhancing their access to vital rights concerning health, education, and security, complemented by personal development courses in parenting, counselling, and women's health. 🌷💡

We invite you to access these invaluable services directly at our offices. Simply walk into our reception, reach out via phone, or send us an email. Our compassionate team stands ready to welcome you and connect you with the appropriate support. 👋💚

Address

Cape Town

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30
Thursday 08:30 - 16:30
Friday 08:30 - 16:30

Telephone

0219171273

Website

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