A deadline is hanging over thousands of people living in South Africa right now. A group of protesters has set 30 June as the date by which all undocumented migrants must leave the country, and for many families caught in the middle, the fear is very real.
"We fear for our lives" is the phrase on so many lips as the date draws closer. People who have built homes, raised children, and found community in South Africa now face the weight of an ultimatum they did not ask for and had no say in.
The situation is a reminder of how quickly belonging can feel conditional. As 30 June approaches, the question of what happens next, to the people, to the communities, and to South Africa's relationship with the rest of the continent, is one nobody can afford to look away from.
Originally published by BBC Africa.