DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — Dozens of Malawian mothers and infants stranded at Durban’s Sherwood Hall are facing deteriorating conditions as they wait in lengthy lines for repatriation buses to take them back to their home country. The transit center, currently serving as a staging ground for the deportation and repatriation of Malawian citizens, has become the focal point of a growing humanitarian concern regarding the welfare of vulnerable newborns and postpartum women.
Despite the challenging environment at the hall, the broader repatriation operation is actively progressing. According to a recent statement from the Malawian foreign ministry, the government confirmed that more than 1,200 Malawian nationals have already boarded buses at the site and are en route home. Many of these individuals have already departed South Africa and are nearing the end of their journey, with the majority expected to arrive in Malawi over the weekend.
However, for those still waiting for the “green light” to travel, the situation on the ground remains dire. A looming humanitarian crisis is unfolding at the facility, particularly affecting women who have recently given birth. Highlighting the extended duration of the stays, a KwaZulu-Natal Home Affairs official confirmed that 12 babies have been born in various hospitals across the city to women who were seeking shelter at Sherwood Hall while awaiting their deportation. While some of these new mothers have successfully been repatriated, others remain stuck at the transit center.
The physical conditions at Sherwood Hall are proving highly unsuitable for mothers and their newborns. Although basic toilets are accessible to the sheltering public, mothers report that the severe overcrowding means there are far too few sanitation facilities to adequately serve the large population. Maintaining proper hygiene—such as washing hands to protect vulnerable infants—has become a significant daily struggle.
Among those waiting is a mother caring for her seven-day-old baby. Despite facing a significant language barrier, as she speaks neither English nor Zulu fluently, she managed to convey the severe difficulties she and other mothers are enduring. She emphasized that the current living situation is far from ideal for postpartum women and their children, pleading for urgent assistance to improve the environment.
In response to the worsening conditions, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian groups have deployed teams to Sherwood Hall. These organizations are currently operating on the ground, coordinating relief efforts and providing essential assistance to the different vulnerable groups sheltering at the site while they await their journey home.