South African immigrants are facing an impending doom as the country's government has yet to intervene on a June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented immigrants to leave. This move bears the marks of similar crises witnessed on the continent.
In Ghana, in 1969, former prime minister Kofi Busia declared a two-week deadline for undocumented aliens to leave the country. However, this move resulted in capital flight, disrupted supply chains, and shortages of basic goods, including cocoa and mining production. Ghana's economy suffered greatly, and the country's poor citizens bore the brunt of the decision. Similarly, in Uganda, President Idi Amin in 1972 ordered ethnic Asians to leave the country by November 8. This move caused business closures, production declines, food shortages, and skills loss. By the 1980s, Uganda reversed its stance and adopted policies to encourage the return of the expelled Asians and their descendants.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for intensified crackdowns on irregular immigrants and has proposed increasing restrictions on documented immigrant workers. In his national address, he announced the finalisation of the National Labour Migration Policy, which proposed maximum quotas for the employment of foreign nationals in certain sectors.
The Department of Small Business Development has drafted a bill that empowers the minister to reserve certain business activities or sectors for South African citizens only. Such restrictions on foreign workers and businesses have precedents in Africa, including Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe's presidency.
The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment General Regulations passed in 2010 reserved numerous small business activities, including retail trade and beauty salons, for indigenous Zimbabweans only. Although rarely enforced, these regulations led to potential diplomatic concerns, harm to supply chains, and the potential impact on Zimbabweans working in other African cities.
In Ghana, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act of 2013 placed significant limitations on the ability of immigrants to engage in small business activities. As in Zimbabwe, Ghana's government initially struggled to enforce the act, and its impact on the economy and foreign relations remains uncertain.
In the face of increasing anti-immigrant sentiment and the looming June 30 deadline, South Africa's government must think carefully about its direction and consider the potential consequences of its actions. South Africans and immigrants alike will be affected, and the country's economic stability and diplomatic relations may suffer greatly.
Key Facts
• 3.9% of South Africa's population was born outside the country. • 30 June deadline issued by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented immigrants to leave. • National Labour Migration Policy proposed maximum quotas for the employment of foreign nationals in certain sectors. • The Department of Small Business Development has drafted a bill to reserve certain business activities for South African citizens only. • Ghanaian prime minister Kofi Busia gave a two-week deadline for undocumented aliens to leave in 1969. • Ugandan President Idi Amin ordered ethnic Asians to leave the country by November 8 in 1972. • The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment General Regulations were passed in Zimbabwe in 2010. • The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act was passed in Ghana in 2013.