McCabe said Morning report the families here were incredibly worried about their loved ones back home.
“I think the main goal of today’s vigil is to raise awareness of what is happening in South Africa and to show solidarity with all South Africans who are currently experiencing this.
“People are terrified, they are worried about their family and friends, and there is enormous uncertainty as to what will happen in the future.”
They were asking the government to consider granting visas to separated families to join their partners in New Zealand, she said.
“There were a lot of South Africans who were on their way to New Zealand, who may have been granted work visas and were unable to come due to the Covid lockdown last year.
“So it certainly affected a lot of people who are currently working here and who could not see their partners and children join them, but also those who had firm job offers and who sold everything to come to Nova Scotia. Zealand. “
However, McCabe said that although border closures were the main reason for many family separations, immigrating to New Zealand in general was proving difficult now.
“I think [for] a lot of immigrants not just South Africans but a lot of people who want to immigrate to New Zealand, it was quite difficult for people to follow the guidelines and rules. And it’s kind of an ever-changing, changing situation. “
RNZ
