Bushiri tells SA returnees: Setback not the end, I proved it, calls for support system

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has told returning Malawians from South Africa that their setback is not the end of their story, saying he went through a similar experience and managed to rebuild his life, while urging government to create structured support systems to help reintegrate returnees.

Bushiri shared the message on his Facebook page following the arrival of 171 Malawians who have been repatriated from South Africa under the government’s ongoing initiative.

In his post, Bushiri said he watched the return of fellow Malawians with mixed emotions, describing pain over their suffering but also relief that they are safely back home. He noted that many have returned after losing businesses, jobs, investments, and stability they spent years building abroad.

He drew a direct parallel with his own past, saying he also faced hostility, pressure, and difficult circumstances in South Africa that eventually forced him to return to Malawi. According to him, the experience left him starting over from scratch.

“After working hard and building my life in South Africa, a public XENOPHOBIC statement was made by the Minister of Home Affairs indicating that my legally obtained residence permit would be revoked and that I should return to Malawi,” Bushiri wrote.

Despite the hardship, Bushiri said he rebuilt his life through faith, resilience, and determination, insisting that setbacks do not define a person’s future. He encouraged returnees not to give up, saying their current situation is only a chapter, not the end of their journey.

“Like many of you, I returned with nothing. But I held firmly to my faith in God. I believed that the same God who had helped me before would restore me again. And He did,” heal added.

Beyond encouragement, Bushiri used the platform to call on government to put in place structured avenues for support, where churches, businesses, civil society, and well-wishers can actively contribute to reintegration efforts for returning citizens.

“I call upon all able men and women of Malawi, regardless of political affiliation, to support efforts aimed at helping our returning brothers and sisters,” he said. “I also respectfully appeal to the Government to create avenues through which individuals, churches, businesses, community organizations, and well wishers can participate in supporting this noble initiative.”

He argued that without coordinated systems, many returnees risk being left vulnerable despite their willingness to restart life in Malawi.