LOCAL INTEGRATION AS A DURABLE SOLUTION FOR REFUGEES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Local integration is an important durable solution for refugees. It is an economic,socio-cultural and legal process. Refugees can have access to education, the rightto seek employment, engage in economic activities and freedom of movement.Local integration assists refugees to acquire permanent resident permits andcitizenship in the country oftheir asylum. Local integration is an economicprocess whereby refugees acquire rights and entitlements that allow them toestablish a sustainable livelihood and be self-reliant. On social level, refugees liveamong local populations, in harmony without any discrimination. Due to theprotracted conflicts in various states, refugees cannot be voluntarily repatriated.Furthermore, a few number of refugees succeed in getting resettlement in thirdcountries. There is a quest to implement local integration for refugees so that theyacquire legal, economic and social rights that will assist them to make ameaningful contribution in various sectors of the host country