Joseph Dhafana is one of the thousands of Zimbabweans who hold a Zimbabwean Exemption Permit. He has until the end of this year to migrate to another permit, but if his application for a business permit is unsuccessful, he faces deportation.
The government gave ZEP holders a year's grace period to migrate to other permits.
Dhafana and his wife left Zimbabwe in 2008. They used illegal channels to make the trip to South Africa, and when they finally arrived in Musina, they were placed in a refugee camp. After two weeks, they were granted asylum. Later, they obtained the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, previously known as the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit.
Joseph grabbed every opportunity available to him. He studied at the Cape Wine Academy and learnt every aspect of the wine business. For seven years, he worked at one of Cape Town's finest restaurants as the head sommelier. Joseph Dhafana is one of the thousands of Zimbabweans who hold a Zimbabwean Exemption Permit.In 2015, Joseph started his own business, producing wines under the label Mosi.
He believes anti-foreigner sentiment is growing and says it's"heartbreaking" when foreigners are attacked. In April, Zimbabwean national Elvis Nyathi was assaulted and burnt to death in Diepsloot. Despite the challenges in South Africa, he wants to remain here. Joseph says he is hopeful that an alternative permit will be granted, so he can live out his life in the country he once saw as"the promised land".In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust.
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