A sigh of relief for SA students arriving home from conflict-torn Ukraine

By Samantha Allen

Published: March 11, 2022 | 8:44 AM GMT

Ten more South African students have arrived in the country from Hungary after fleeing Ukraine. This brings to 24 the total number of people who have returned home.

15 other students, two of whom have tested positive for COVID-19 will remain in isolation there. The students arrived on Thursday at the OR Tambo International Airport.

South African students have arrived from war-ravaged #Ukraine at OR Tambo International Airport.
They are overwhelmed and happy to be home. #SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/1bjGq1hlAm

— Chriselda ‘Babes We Ndaba’ Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) March 10, 2022

It has been an agonising wait for families whose loved ones have been stranded following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some of the students fled to neighbouring countries including Hungary, Poland and Romania.

They say it is a relief that they are now home.

SABC News Chriselda Lewis reporting from OR Tambo airport:

While others were too overwhelmed to speak, one of the evacuated students, Vuthlari Mtonnga was happy to have made it back home safely.

Treatment of African students

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and pharmaceutical company, Aspen, facilitated the return of the students.

The first group arrived last week after they were left stranded.

Aspen’s Stavros Nicolaou says public-private partnerships are necessary.

Dirco has again condemned the treatment of African students during this conflict, as Spokesperson Clayson Monyela elaborates, “It is very unfortunate that even in the context of a raging armed conflict we still saw Africans, in particular, being subjected to discriminatory and racist treatment. We had cases where some students were prevented from buying train tickets, from getting onto the trains. Even when they got into border areas, Africans were put in a separate line, pushed back and not given attention. We protested and reminded them that everyone has a right to cross international borders when there’s a conflict.”

The remaining students are scheduled to return to the country soon.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.