Immigration's Contribution to South Africa's Development: Is it a Good Thing?

The issue of immigrants and expatriates came up as a topic in a recent election speech given by ANC president Jacob Zuma at a meeting hosted by the labour union, Solidarity. Zuma spoke to concerns about South Africa's brain drain and the need for South Africa either to attract skills back into the country or encourage immigration.

The topic is unlikely to disappear for elections to come. If ever there was a need for a good immigration policy, it is now. But controlled immigration needs to be spurred by something.

Without good industrial policy as the backbone, immigration policy can produce mixed results. It can, at best, be ad hoc -- the beneficiary of unintended consequences and perhaps sheer luck. Sound measures and clear development targets must support a country's trajectory and its attitude towards immigration.

Industrial policy and other development targets provide the framework and platform for skills demand. They also become constellations of focused activity for investment, knowledge, and technology flow. Immigration can have a number of positives.

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By Saliem Fakir, an independent writer based in Cape Town.

Read more articles by Saliem Fakir.

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Nyeupe Initiative is looking for professionals in the Housing Sector from government, Private Sector and the Not-for-profit fields to give 2 blocks of flats in Alexandra's East Bank area a face lift!

The Business Case:
When the Department of Education did not complete these RDP houses, residents who had waited long enough decided to move in. There are families living in this block of flats in Alexandra's East Bank Area. Nyeupe Initiative needs your ideas, networks and connections to complete these homes. Contact us on joyce@nyeupeinitiative.com to volunteer or link us up with people who can help.

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