The Association of Moroccans in South Africa has called for improved access to consular services for nationals living in the country. Highlighting administrative challenges—especially in Cape Town—in renewing or obtaining important documents, the NGO's president urges renewed efforts as the summer season approaches. As summer approaches and many Moroccan families living abroad prepare to return home for the season, those settled in South Africa face ongoing uncertainty. Due to difficulties renewing or obtaining administrative documents, some families are forced to postpone their travel plans. This issue was highlighted by Abdeslam Habiballah, president of the Association of Moroccans in South Africa, who reported that nearly 700 people are affected. «It's especially challenging for our fellow citizens in Cape Town, which is known more as a tourist destination than an economic hub. The distance from the consulate means multiple costly trips by plane and taxi, which is a heavy burden for families with modest incomes», Habiballah told Yabiladi on Wednesday. Vital Documents for Children from Mixed Marriages A naturalized South African and member of the African National Congress (ANC), Habiballah recently reached out to Moroccan authorities in South Africa, proposing mobile consulate services for those in need. «My written requests have gone unanswered», he lamented. «Most of the affected are housewives and mothers caring for children from mixed marriages, often single parents who can't afford the nearly 3,000-kilometer round trip to Pretoria to renew documents or process paperwork with Moroccan authorities», he noted. Habiballah questioned the lack of local administrative support, stressing the importance of these documents. «This is about maintaining the emotional connection between these children and their country of origin. It's also about their access to education, which can prevent them from falling into delinquency», he told us, reminding that «Cape Town is about 1,450 kilometers from Pretoria», where the Moroccan embassy is based. He also raised concerns about consular access for Moroccan citizens detained in South Africa. «We're currently assisting a young single mother, Sabrine, whose child is in foster care but cannot attend school due to missing documents. We urge Moroccan consular services to guarantee the child's right to an identity and education, which cannot wait for the mother's prison release», he said. Mobile Consulate Initiatives Have Made a Difference In the past, a mobile consulate was held annually in Cape Town. «Since the consular team changed four years ago, only one such initiative has taken place. This has deprived many of essential services», Habiballah emphasized. The association sent a letter to the Moroccan embassy on March 20, 2025, requesting a meeting with the new chargé d'affaires. «On April 11, 2025, as president and vice-president of the association, we met with the chargé d'affaires and the consul. We discussed issues affecting our community, ways to strengthen cooperation, promote the kingdom's priorities, and highlight its achievements», he explained. The embassy promised to organize a mobile consulate as soon as possible. «On April 23, 2025, we submitted lists of beneficiaries. On May 7, we followed up, but unfortunately, we have yet to receive a response», Habiballah said on Wednesday. He called on the relevant authorities to act swiftly, urging them to heed royal directives that emphasize protecting the rights of Moroccans abroad by ensuring easier access to administrative services.
