South Africa at Crossroads: The Integration of International Migrants’, a Diplomatic Acuity or Aversion?

Abstract

Mighration is as old as human existence, linked to the failure at the point of departure vis-a-vis the perceived opportunities that exist in the new place, thus explaining why [black African] migrants move to South Africa for greener pasture. Migration can be clustered into political boundaries, methods of decision-making as well as patterns of the movement of migrants. This work is centered on cross political boundary migration. Using qualitatitive method approach and neoclassical theory of economics, this work believes that the endless stress on migration as an economic process can be used to explain the reasons behind migration[in the first instance to escape poverty andunemployment back at home while trying to improve incomes and life-chances in migrants'newly found home. This work also believes that the integration of migrants is a major concern for societies with major challenge of social cohesion,group relations, economic and social progress likeSouth Africa. We live in a world in which the free movement of capital, goods, and technology has become a virtue. Consequently, the management and transformation of migration into a mutually benneficial process by the South African government calls for policy frameworks to make it a win-win for both the sending and the receiving country while bringing gains to South Africa. This work conclude that South Africa neds to create a receptive environment for skilled migrants who are willing to stay and take up a permanent residency of the country. Nevetheless, South Africa must take the responsibility of educating public opinion on the need to promote and expand high-skilled immigration, while affirming a national preference for South Africa's national inetersts.