Rainbow immigration
5 November 2004
While South Africa is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, thousands of people choose to settle in the country each year. For many, the quality of life, the climate and the business opportunities on offer, make it an attractive place to live and to prosper. Recent immigration records show that South Africa is truly becoming a colour-filled multi-cultural melting pot, alive with possibilities.
The country limits the number of immigrants each year. According to the government, this is to protect work opportunities for the vast reserve of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. In line with international trends, potential immigrants who fall into the unskilled and semi-skilled categories will normally not be accepted as an immigrant worker in the country.
Those wishing to immigrant to South Africa, should also be committed to it, the government says, and be prepared to share their skills and expertise: "South Africa cannot afford to grant permanent residence permits to persons who are not seriously committed to settle in the [country] permanently and to investing their skills, assets, knowledge and experience for the benefit of themselves and the people of South Africa. One of the most important aspects of immigration control is therefore that a visible connection be maintained between foreigners working in the [country] and the training of South African nationals."
Immigration trends
Yet thousands of applicants are granted immigrant status each year, and 2002 statistics show an increase of over 35% in numbers from the previous year; or 6 545 immigrants in 2002, compared to 4 835 in 2001.
And the numbers are steadily growing. The latest data show that over 10 500 immigrants settled in South Africa in 2003 (roughly a 39% leap from 2002), and over 8 500 by August 2004.
Historically, there have been wide fluctuations in the trends of documented immigration to South Africa. One prominent peak occurred in 1975 - due to a doubling in the number of immigrants from the United Kingdom (UK) between 1973 and 1975 and to some extent, immigration into South Africa from Mozambique, after that country gained independence. Another significant peak occurred in 1982, again due to immigration to South Africa from the UK, as well as from China and Portugal. From 1990 onwards, there was a downward trend in the number of documented immigrants to the country.
In 2002, immigrants were from a range of countries, including the UK, India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, China, Germany, United States, and Taiwan, as well as from other countries in Africa and Europe.
2003 records show that the majority of immigrants (1 698) were from Nigeria, followed by the UK (1 032), by far the dominant nationalities.
Emmigration trends
The number of people choosing to live in South Africa, is balanced, in some respects, by the
numbers choosing to emigrate from South Africa. Emigration data from 1970 to 2002 show three major peaks: in 1977, 1986 and 1994.
During these peak years, the leading destination country for self-declared emigrants was the UK. In the post-1994 period, the trend in self-declared emigration from South Africa to other countries has been gradual. In 2002 the number of emigrants turned out to be 11.2% lower than that of 2001, decreasing from 12 260 in 2001 to 10 890 in 2002.
While reasons for emigration are varied, and unique to individuals, many choose to settle in more developed countries in Europe or North America, where the earning potential for skilled labour tends to be higher.
The exodus of skills from the country – described as a 'brain drain' - has caused concern for some. Emigrants include IT professionals, doctors and dentists, scientists, nurses and teachers. For example, almost 17 000 science and technology professions (about 1% of the total science and technology workforce), left the country between 1994 and 2001.
Many poorly paid teachers and nurses, as well as emergency staff, such as firemen, have sought more lucrative positions in their professions overseas.
The downfall of the 'brain drain' is a shortage of skilled labour at home. A recent report suggests that the country does not have enough engineers to fulfil its infrastructure development ambitions over the coming years.
Yet the skills shortfalls are opportunities for some – providing business and work opportunities for a fresh wave of immigrants, and focussing skills development initiatives, as well as guiding tertiary education decisions at home.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
