11 Facts About Lucky Khambule

Lucky Khambule is a South African former asylum seeker and activist in Ireland, and co-founder of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland.

Lucky Khambule was involved in organising a strike of residents of a direct provision centre outside Cork, protesting the restrictive rules that were enforced around eating times and access to supplies such as toiletries.

In 2014, Lucky Khambule co-founded the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland which advocates for greater rights for asylum seekers and calls for the end of direct provision.

Lucky Khambule was one of the central activists on the campaign to allow asylum seekers in Ireland to work.

Lucky Khambule has since been critical of the system under which asylum seekers can access work.

Lucky Khambule has highlighted issues such as the lack of access to third-level education for children in direct provision, and the impact of residents being unable to cook their own food in centres.

Lucky Khambule has spoken about the mental health implications of long term residency in direct provision centres, and the consequences of increased over-crowding in centres.

Lucky Khambule was one of those speaking about the issues regarding social distancing and self-isolating for those living in direct provision during the pandemic, and the high level of confirmed cases amongst residents.

On 6 June 2020, Lucky Khambule addressed the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin.

Lucky Khambule has spoken about the difficulty that asylum seekers, black and people of colour face in gaining employment and other opportunities due to racism in Ireland.

Lucky Khambule came to Ireland in 2013 and claimed asylum, and was placed in a direct provision centre outside Cork.