The impact of immigration policies on socio-economic transformation in South Africa

Abstract

This dissertation looks at the impact of immigration policies on socio-economic transformation in South Africa, which constitutionally is established as an open and democratic country. The multi-racial society that South Africa is today composed of is undoubtedly the result of a long history of immigration that has for over the centuries advanced the economy significantly. The study illustrates that among other determinants, immigration in South Africa is regulated by international as well as domestic law, which the government has committed to comply with. Though immigrants bring lots of benefits to the country as established through research, government?s immigration policies have in recent times become increasingly restrictive, coupled with a general xenophobic attitude, especially towards immigrants from other African countries. Looking at the imperative for socio-economic transformation introduced with the advent of constitutional democracy in 1994, the study makes the argument that the state resources deployed by the government in trying to combat immigration could instead be used productively in promoting socio-economic transformation by developing the skills capacity of many South Africans. Owing to the fact that African immigrants in South Africa are according to research findings established to be highly educated, skilled and entrepreneurial, their presence in the country could more effectively be explored to develop the productive capabilities of the majority of largely unskilled South African citizens and by so doing, significantly advance socio-economic transformation in the country. On the basis of this analysis, a number of recommendations are made necessitating the government to take concrete action in ensuring that immigration contributes meaningfully to socio-economic development in the country.