South Africans attempted to take the immigration problem into their own hands, killing 22 immigrants over the last few weeks- 6 in the last two days. Many immigrants have been chased from their jobs and homes over the last few weeks. The violence must stop, however, South Africans do have the right to be upset. This should be an eyeopener for the South African government, to address the issues that are causing this hatred and violence.
Since Apartheid, there have been a handful of Black South Africans that have flourished; however, most have not. The image that an outsider acquires from seeing a Black president and cabinet members, successful Black businessmen, successful black doctors and lawyers, etc.- is that the average Black man is doing well for him self in South Africa. The fact is that the average is either unemployed, 23% of the population, or fighting to hold his job. Finding housing has also become extremely difficult and at a premium. The inequality has only risen because of these misconceptions and with an increase in illegal immigrants, it will only get worse.
South Africa is surrounded by extremely impoverished and politically unstable countries. Therefore, it is easy to see why immigration is such a problem. It is the nature of human beings to want a better life for your family and yourself, so if you put that on the scale of these countries, we are talking about life and possible death. For example, we discussed the violence going on in Zimbabwe where money is currently worthless because of hyperinflation. Why work if the money you are working for is worthless? Why stay in a country that turns to violence because no one has any reason to work and pay for goods- instead they turn to looting and violence. Zimbabweans actually makes up the largest number of these immigrants fleeing to South Africa, because of just these very reasons.
These immigrants work for less and hold jobs that South Africans want and need. They also lower wages because South Africans can no longer go on strike to get better treatment or better wages, simply because they will just be replaced with immigrant workers. These are legitimate reasons to be upset and enraged, especially when you don't see your government doing anything about the problem and accepting the misconception that the average Black South African is doing well for themselves. Violence is not an acceptable response, however, the government must respond by opening their eyes and realize that the answer to these problems lies on the Southern African Development Community(SADC). I am not saying reward the violence, rather realize that the violence may escalate exponentially if you do not show that you are on their side, as well as not against the immigrants.
Taking the steps that the SADC was set up to do, will show just that. South Africa must help the bordering countries, economically and politically, so that immigrants do not feel the need to flood into South Africa- the economic powerhouse of Sub-Saharan African. The basic concept of the SADC is to split economic gains amongst the southern countries, make sure the countries are politically stable and transparent, and evolve together. Obviously these all have been weakly enforced over the last few years. South Africa needs to invest in the surrounding countries much more than it has. Yes they will be taking a hit in total capital; however it will stop the spread of inequality and improve long term growth by stabilizing the region around them. Foreign investors are much more likely to invest if the area is stable and the roads throughout the south are kept up for shipping purposes. The key is to invest in South Africa's future by investing in the surrounding countries, and this should be done through the SADC. There is no short term answer to immigration- they must show an effort for the long term.
Since Apartheid, there have been a handful of Black South Africans that have flourished; however, most have not. The image that an outsider acquires from seeing a Black president and cabinet members, successful Black businessmen, successful black doctors and lawyers, etc.- is that the average Black man is doing well for him self in South Africa. The fact is that the average is either unemployed, 23% of the population, or fighting to hold his job. Finding housing has also become extremely difficult and at a premium. The inequality has only risen because of these misconceptions and with an increase in illegal immigrants, it will only get worse.
South Africa is surrounded by extremely impoverished and politically unstable countries. Therefore, it is easy to see why immigration is such a problem. It is the nature of human beings to want a better life for your family and yourself, so if you put that on the scale of these countries, we are talking about life and possible death. For example, we discussed the violence going on in Zimbabwe where money is currently worthless because of hyperinflation. Why work if the money you are working for is worthless? Why stay in a country that turns to violence because no one has any reason to work and pay for goods- instead they turn to looting and violence. Zimbabweans actually makes up the largest number of these immigrants fleeing to South Africa, because of just these very reasons.
These immigrants work for less and hold jobs that South Africans want and need. They also lower wages because South Africans can no longer go on strike to get better treatment or better wages, simply because they will just be replaced with immigrant workers. These are legitimate reasons to be upset and enraged, especially when you don't see your government doing anything about the problem and accepting the misconception that the average Black South African is doing well for themselves. Violence is not an acceptable response, however, the government must respond by opening their eyes and realize that the answer to these problems lies on the Southern African Development Community(SADC). I am not saying reward the violence, rather realize that the violence may escalate exponentially if you do not show that you are on their side, as well as not against the immigrants.
Taking the steps that the SADC was set up to do, will show just that. South Africa must help the bordering countries, economically and politically, so that immigrants do not feel the need to flood into South Africa- the economic powerhouse of Sub-Saharan African. The basic concept of the SADC is to split economic gains amongst the southern countries, make sure the countries are politically stable and transparent, and evolve together. Obviously these all have been weakly enforced over the last few years. South Africa needs to invest in the surrounding countries much more than it has. Yes they will be taking a hit in total capital; however it will stop the spread of inequality and improve long term growth by stabilizing the region around them. Foreign investors are much more likely to invest if the area is stable and the roads throughout the south are kept up for shipping purposes. The key is to invest in South Africa's future by investing in the surrounding countries, and this should be done through the SADC. There is no short term answer to immigration- they must show an effort for the long term.
4 comments:
A very insightful analysis of the problems of the region. While investing money into the surrounding regions for infrastructure, roads, and schools is certainly a laudable solution, it is a difficult political task. Mexican undocumented workers would not be in risking their lives crossing the border to America, if we had invested money in the Mexican agricultural and industrial areas that we knew would be hit the hardest by NAFTA. But think of the political backlash. Not only the Lou Dobbses of the world, but common people would question why America's money is going to fix problems abroad before it is fixing problems within. When we give relief through trade concessions or aid to areas hit by a tragedy or in great need of basic aid, the voting public don't seem to complain. But when the schools, fields, and businesses are failing within, people don't like to their countries fixing those problems elsewhere.
I am not saying your solution isn't right. It is. I am pointing out, however, that it is not easy.
The diaspora of Zimbabwe reminds me of the silent diaspora of Iraqi refugees that was reported on today by Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times. I think you'll find the problems in Jordan similar to those of South Africa, and Kristof's solutions similar to your own.
You can find the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/opinion/26kristof.html?scp=2&sq=kristof&st=cse
I think the link got cut off. The article by Kristof is called "Books not Bombs": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/opinion/26kristof.html?scp=2&sq=kristof&st=cse
It is really interesting to see how human response is the same regardless of culture: Self preservation is fascinating.
Colombia: Huge social gap, you are either poor or rich (perfect setting for corruption). What happened in the mid to late 90's ,drug business increased and forced rural agriculture workers to migrate into the cities. They either grew coca or were killed. These "migrants" where seen as such, because they are almost from another country. Their dialects are different, they have no other skills than working the land and they are physically more indigenous than the "wealthy" high class of individuals in the city(just by this, their work opportunities decrease drastically, unemployment is like 22%). It's amazing but true. These individuals are called "desplazados", they were displaced from their farm land unable to grow and work their land. With that, economy went down, prices for food went up, we started importing goods and the government did NOTHING to help these people. The need for self preservation, resulted in commmon delinquents kidnapping for the FARC and violence simply transformed. As a result more migration occurred, this time into other countries and lands. I'm the result of a combination of these factors, mainly: SELF PRESERVATION.
You are right, until we maybe phrase the issue in a different form and see the WHOLE picture, nothing will change. By ignoring others needs, we are simply creating a future threat to ourselves...
Thanks for the Comments: I will try to respond to any comments left.
First off Thomas:
You bring up many good points. I will attempt to respond to them all. The political backlash would initially make some angry- however, as you look at history- if unemployment goes down, inflation is controlled, and the overall economy is growing-even at a low rate (3-5%)- political backlash is possible but unlikely. All of these are obtainable while still investing in the nations around South Africa. The number of immigrants would reduce during this time because less people would feel the need to leave their homeland. The point being that as long as your economy is stable and in this case- your unemployment rate is dropping- investment in the surrounding nations is not only feasible but smart for the long run, as Carolina recapped in he comment. Mbeki is highly thought of in south Africa and can take the initial backlash and smooth things over with increasing border patrol for those who don't see the big picture and want instant results.
Totally agree with the political backlash, just believe in this case it is not as serve as one may think.
Yes, the situation is much like the Iraq/Jordan problem talked about in Nicholas Kristof's article and throughout Africa. For instance, Kenya. Kenya is the economic power of the east, and besides the recent movements, has been very stable politically. However, it is surrounded by nations that have been at war, civil and tribal for so many years. Naturally the refugees immigrate to Kenya and unfortunately it also brings the wars into the Kenyan borders. Despite these problems of the east African countries- the EAC has done much more than the SADC has. I would imagine that rebel warfare, like the war in Iraq, would enter bordering countries borders much easier than civil warfare. So that definitely throws a curveball on the Iraq/Jordan situation.
Carolina:
Awesome comparison. Correct me if I'm wrong hear but I believe Colombia was also plagued by hyper inflation during the early 80's Latin American debt crisis and hit hard again in the late 80's-early 90's. Which makes it even more comparable with Zimbabwe. Which explains the inequality that both regions suffer from. South Africa, I think is a bit different because it is masked by the misperception that because blacks are in power again that black south Africans are doing well for themselves. Hyperinflation, when a nation is getting back on it's feet creates the worst type of inequality- because when a country is broken into pieces and trying to gather itself, political gifts are handed out and corruption is easily implemented. Therefore, once these nations do get back in their feet the political system is tied much to close to the business side of things.
Very interesting about the farmers in Columbia, I wonder if similar instances has been happening in Zimbabwe.
Thanks for the comments
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