Borders, Sovereignty, and Security: Rethinking South Africa’s Governance and Approach to Irregular Migration and Transnational Threats.

Abstract

Border control has emerged as a critical dimension of national security in states confronting irregular migration, organized crime, and transnational threats. South Africa illustrates these tensions as a regional hub with porous borders, liberalized immigration policies, and treaty obligations. Despite the creation of the Border Management Authority (BMA), institutional fragmentation, corruption, and resource deficits persist. Employing qualitative methods and using both primary and secondary data, this study traces the evolution of border governance from apartheid to democracy, analyzes policy frameworks, and identifies challenges undermining effectiveness. It highlights the security and socioeconomic consequences of weak border control, including xenophobia, terrorism, and erosion of legitimacy. Drawing on realism, liberalism, and open systems theory, the article argues that effective border management requires integrated agency cooperation, technological innovation, and regional collaboration to safeguard sovereignty and stability.