Eye on Africa

South Africa is a place where people commonly complain about the lack of jobs. However, what they should be complaining about is the lack of jobs for unskilled and low-skilled citizens. In South Africa, there are actually so many unfilled jobs that government officials are worried.

It is appears that South Africa is facing a crisis-skills shortages are threatening the goals and progress of the country. South Africa was looking to lure foreigners to fill a long list of positions but the country has fallen drastically short.

Of the 35,200 jobs advertised on the National Scarce Skills List, the Sunday Times reported that less than 4% had been filled. According to the article, an internal report by the Department of Home Affairs revealed that only 1,123 foreigners were issued visas last year related to the advertised jobs.

Government officials claim that they have attracted more foreign workers than reported in the Sunday Times. But no one dares claim that they have attracted enough. On the contrary, officials are openly expressing concern and stressing their desperation for foreign skills.

Last month in a speech, African National Congress President Jacob Zuma, urged South Africans to have positive attitudes about foreign labor. Instead of foreigners stealing jobs, they actually help the economy and create jobs for South Africans, he said.  

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said the problem of skills shortages is massive.

Jobs that are featured on the National Scarce Skills List vary greatly.  Included are:

• Farm Managers
• Construction Managers
• Amusement, Fitness, and Sport Center Managers
• Journalists
• Economists
• Cartographers
• Plumbers
• Butchers
• Beauty Therapists
• Gallery, Museum, and Tour Guides
• Life Scientists

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