Title: Solidifying the concept of political will to promote decoloniality and migration diplomacy in South Africa

Authors: Joyce Toendepi; Eric B. Niyitunga; James Asani

Addresses: Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa ' School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa ' Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: The lack of political will has impeded the decolonisation of migration diplomacy in South Africa. Political will is a critical pillar in applying migration laws and the practice of migration diplomacy in Africa. Unfortunately, African scholars of decoloniality have not yet explored the role and effects of political will in promoting decoloniality and migration diplomacy in South Africa. This paper adopts a qualitative research methodology with an explanatory approach to achieve its objectives. Thematic content analysis was used to identify and analyse data patterns systematically and objectively and assemble a shared interpretation. The findings show that the lack of political will has affected the fate of decoloniality, migration laws, and diplomacy in South Africa. The paper recommends that African leaders understand the effects and role of political will in promoting decoloniality and addressing the failures of migration diplomacy in South Africa.

Keywords: migration; migration laws; migration diplomacy; political will; coloniality; decoloniality; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDIPE.2025.147267

International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy, 2025 Vol.11 No.3, pp.244 - 263

Received: 27 Sep 2023
Accepted: 06 Mar 2024
Published online: 14 Jul 2025 *

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