- South Africa’s skills crisis means that our immigration needs have changed quite dramatically. No longer is it readily able to attract skilled immigrants, and since 1994 the outflow of skills has been greater than the inflow.
- 2000 was the seventh year in a row in which South Africa suffered a net loss of people. While the country gained 3 053 immigrants, the number leaving our shores was more than three times as high at 10 140.
- If South Africa wants to become a competitive economy in the global system, consideration must be given to the relationship between opening our borders to trade, industry, culture, communications and capital, and the movement of people, which must inevitably follow.
- The definition of ‘skilled persons’ should be expanded to include not only the traditional professional, technical, managerial and investor categories but also entrepreneurs of all kinds who have some demonstrated skills in the creation and management of either formal or informal enterprises.
- The new legislation must guarantee that until such time as South Africa’s educational crisis and training deficits are overcome, the entry of all potentially economically productive skilled persons is facilitated.
Photo credit: Max Pixel
