Shifting in the City: Being and Longing in Cape Town

Abstract

South Africa is the only country on the African continent that prevents discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender— including gender identity or expression. On entering South Africa an asylum seeker has 14 days to report to a Refugee Reception Office (RRO) mn by the aptly named Department of Home Affairs, and to apply for asylum. South Africa’s RROs have become increasingly difficult to locate and access, as they seem to close down suddenly or to move to unfamiliar locations without prior notice. The asylum system in South Africa is widely perceived to be overburdened, corrupt and poorly managed. However, specific issues make the asylum application process much more difficult for gender refugees. As of December 2018 the Cape Town RRO was situated at Customs House Building in the Foreshore area of Cape Town. People unknowingly drive on the overpass over asylum seekers purposefully made to exist below this line of visibility.