Key Points:
- South Africa’s immigration law that replaced the anti-immigration Aliens Control Act, prioritises the importance of skilled immigration to replenish the loss of skilled professionals and ultimately grow the economy of South Africa.
- In 2001, official figures show that South Africa lost six times more professionals and technicians than were gained. This is in addition to the 1.6 million South Africans who are already living abroad, according to a 2002 estimate.
- There are two solutions available for the skills shortage. The first is a dramatic upgrading of our educational and training systems and the second involves the sourcing of skills and competencies abroad.
- If the new regulations are to serve the national interest of economic growth and job creation, adjustments must be made to the legislation regarding training levies, quotas, and skills transfer, and provisions must be made for entrepreneurs as skilled immigrants.
