Problem-solving in South Africa

Many of those who had left the country – or are considering emigration – are prompted certain unfavourable conditions within the country. Crime, economic considerations, affirmative action and globalisation are some of the considerations which may lead to emigration. Those who had left the country or are planning to do so, will obviously not opt to stay unless conditions appear to be improving. Similarly, those who remain here but have “emigrated inwardly”, will remain uninvolved if they are pessimistic about unfavourable local conditions.

The Come Home Campaign does not attempt to deny the problems that exist inside South Africa. The focus is rather on making emigrants and prospective emigrants aware that solutions to these problems do exist, and that everyone can make a positive contribution in this regard. Some of the major reasons for emigration, as well as some proposed solutions, are:

Crime

According to AfriForum's research, crime is the second most important reason why South Africans are emigrating. Many people who leave, had become victims of crime themselves or know people close to them who had become victims. The accumulation of negative news about crime also plays a significant role in this regard.

Possible solutions: Eradicating crime should be the primary focus of Government. A comprehensive crime-fighting strategy, which includes employment initiatives, the improvement of the legal system, legislation and the Police Service, is essential. While the crime problem continues and strategies against crime are being implemented, it is proposed as interim measure that tax concessions should be awarded to citizens who pay for measures to protect themselves. Alarm systems, burglar-proofing and other security measures are expensive and tax concessions will enable more people to protect themselves in South Africa.

People can take a stance against crime by becoming involved, for example by supporting AfriForum's Stop the Murders Campaign. AfriForum has already established a web site (www.stopthemurders.co.za) where members of the public can either sign or download and sign a petition against violent crime, as well as make suggestions regarding possible solutions for the crime problem. These inputs, as well as the completed petitions, will be presented to President Mbeki in order to call government to urgent action. A facility has also been created whereby the public can donate R10-00 in support of the campaign by sending a SMS with the word Forum to 38655.

As part of this campaign, a research team has been instructed to compile a report with statistics about violent crime. This report will be released both locally, as well as abroad, in order to generate support for the struggle against violent crime and murders. The report will also be published on the campaign’s website. In addition, the research team has been asked to monitor the State's execution of its new crime-fighting strategy, as well as to determine scientifically whether this plan is succeeding in curbing violent crime. A report in this regard will be released during the first half of 2007. The State's announcement of a new strategy against violent crime has to be followed by actual results. If not, the plan will be reduced to yet another exercise in public relations.

Lowering standards

Approximately 20% of emigrants allege that lowering standards of public service delivery is the main reason for their emigration. According to them, standards in many diverse fields, including education, medical services, administration and infrastructure are deteriorating dramatically. In a country with limited financial resources such as South Africa, it is virtually impossible to maintain the best standards continuously. The pressure placed by limited resources on standards, is exacerbated by the manner in which affirmative action is implemented.

Possible solutions: The State also has a crucial role to play regarding standards of service delivery. It has to ensure that the best possible service is provided within the limitations of the available resources, especially in respect of education and medical care. A comprehensive plan is essential in this regard too.

Emigrants usually are highly qualified and skilled individuals. In order to encourage this group to stay on in South Africa, they have to be assured of access to the highest possible standards of educational and medical services. The State however cannot be expected to give preferential treatment to these highly qualified people at the expense of the poor. It will be fair though to enable these people to have access to the highest level of services at their own cost. Currently it is extremely difficult for people to pay for such services themselves, as they have to pay taxes to fund public education and medical services on the one hand, while in addition also paying for personal medical schemes, private schools and similar private services. This in essence is a form of double taxation. The solution for this problem is that citizens have to receive tax concessions for services for which they pay themselves. If this is not done, skilled South Africans will continue leaving the country, to the detriment of South Africa and all its people, including the numerous poor citizens remaining behind.

Economic reasons

Almost half of the people who emigrate refer to economic issues as reasons for their decision to leave. This does not mean that they have to emigrate in order to survive, but rather that they regard the financial situation abroad to be better than in South Africa. The fluctuating value of the rand, high percentages of taxation, a shortage of viable employment opportunities in South Africa and the increasing local cost of living are causes for concern. People also often mention that salaries are much higher abroad than locally. Especially medical professionals are concerned about compulsory community service terms, low salaries, as well as unpleasant or even dangerous employment conditions and environments.

Possible solutions: The impression that a higher standard of living can be maintained abroad, often is a misconception. Salaries might be higher when compared to a similar salary in South Africa, due to a favourable exchange rate, but the foreign cost of living might neutralise this benefit. People have to take note of this misconception.

Economically active individuals often emigrate because viable employment cannot be found in South Africa. Access to good jobs is essential in order to keep people in South Africa or to encourage those who had already left, to return. Close cooperation is maintained with Solidarity's personnel agencies and AfriForum also has contact with numerous other employment consultants and employers in order to try and find work for prospective remigrants. It is also essential that new employment opportunities have to be created on a continuous basis. The State has an important role to play in this regard, not necessarily by creating jobs itself, but especially by ensuring that a favourable national climate is maintained for the creation of employment opportunities.

Affirmative Action

Legal requirements which give employment preference to black South Africans, results in whites (and even to an increasing measure brown and Indian South Africans) having less access to employment and promotion opportunities in both the public and private sector. Apart from the direct impairment which whites often experience as a form of alienation, the perception is also created that it has become virtually impossible to find employment as a non-black and that the only viable employment opportunities for non-black South African professionals are to be found abroad.

Possible solutions: For a long time already, Solidarity has been busy with a campaign against the unfair manner in which affirmative action is being implemented. Discussions with the State regarding the implementation of a Code of Good Practice in this regard are in process - see www.aacode.co.za. The idea behind this Code of Good Practice is that a win-win solution has to be found, in order that inequalities and poverty in South Africa can be eradicated on the one hand, while on the other, care is taken that new forms of discrimination and inequality are not created. A code of this nature can be hugely beneficial in order to discourage emigration and to retain skilled labour for South Africa. The proposed code includes numerous suggestions, including a cut-off date for affirmative action, that young South Africans have to be exempted from affirmative action, that companies have to plan for ways in which disadvantaged people can be empowered, and more.

Fear of a Zimbabwe scenario of general collapse

South Africa's silent diplomacy regarding Robert Mugabe's actions creates the impression with some South Africans that the country will have a similar future to Zimbabwe. It is argued that South Africa is moving in a similar direction and that it is therefore better to emigrate now, while it is still relatively easy to do so. The events in Zimbabwe and President Mbeki's refusal to disassociate himself from Mugabe emphatically, leads to especially white South Africans having a pessimistic long-term vision re the future of the country and the impression that whites are not an integral part of Africa.

Possible solutions: It is high time that the State should take a clear standpoint against the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe. The support of organisations such as the ANC Youth League for Mugabe has to be repudiated unequivocally by Government.

Globalisation and the end of isolation

Apart from all the mentioned push factors, the importance of globalisation as reason for emigration cannot be underestimated. Since the international acceptance of South Africa in 1994, new opportunities have become available to the country and its people. Tourism increased. South Africans now find it easy to explore the world and take note of international developments. It has become relatively easy to find work abroad and young South Africans who are working overseas, have cleared the path for thousands to follow their example. Some remain abroad or develop a new identity as global residents or eternal drifters. More contact with the international world also results in a growing exchange of people.

Possible solutions: Globalisation is a reality which cannot be stopped. The only way in which the result of globalisation can be limited in terms of skilled emigration, is by creating more favourable circumstances in the country in order that South Africa may enjoy the pick of our own skilled citizens. More favourable circumstances can be created by paying attention to all the abovementioned issues. AfriForum therefore continues with numerous campaigns to bring these crucial matters to the attention of the State, keep them in the spotlight and help to find win-win solutions for these problems. Please visit AfriForum's web site via the direct link on this page or at www.afriforum.co.za.