Abstract:
This article analyses patterns of international academic mobility and the experiences of foreign
staff at South African higher education institutions. Using the “pull and push factors” as a
conceptual framework, it argues that the patterns of international academic staff mobility follow
the pattern of international cross-border migrants. These are driven mainly by the pull factors
which include quest for better opportunities in life including education. This study used both
quantitative and qualitative methods to uncover the motivations and experiences of foreign
academics in South Africa. The article uses three sources of data namely documentary analysis,
statistical data from the Department of Education’s Higher Education Management Information
System (HEMIS), and data from questionnaires that were distributed to foreign academic staff at
the three South African universities; namely, the University of Pretoria, University of South Africa,
and University of the Witwatersrand. For the foreign academic staff working in South Africa, it was
demonstrated that they have both positive and negative experiences. The negative experiences
seem to be related to the major nation building project to overcome racism and xenophobia. The
principles of non-racialism and, non-discrimination need to be promoted in order to build an
inclusive and socially coherent society.
