The depletion of the human resources pool in South Africa

Abstract

The brain drain has become one of the dominant realities within the South African economy. The official emigration statistics from South African sources inadvertently minimizes the seriousness of the threat, but emigration figures received from foreign countries are indicative of the size of the problem.Emigration, however, is not the only cause for the depletion of the human resource pool. Internal migration, pseudo-emigration and the influx of unskilled workers also negatively effect the composition of the human resource provision in the country. Murder, HIV/AIDS and related diseases severely impact industry and will increasingly contribute to the brain drain.A radical reduction of the skilled work force and a dramatic shift in the composition of the human resource pool towards unskilled labour negatively impact on industry and inhibits South Africa's ability to compete effectively in an increasingly global market.

Macro and micro challenges for talent retention in South Africa

“…In addition, the official emigration statistics, when compared to immigration figures received from other countries, appear to understate the problem (Du Preez, 2002). In contrast to the loss of skilled and talented South Africans, of the number of economically active immigrants who arrived in South Africa during 2002-2003, only 4.7% were professionals and 3.9% were managers.…”

“…As is evident in other developing countries, South Africa is currently experiencing a brain drain that could severely impact its competitiveness (Du Preez, 2002). Paton (2003, p. 18) notes in this regard that 'government's ambition to grow [the] manufacturing base risks being stillborn unless the country addresses a worsening skills crisis.…”

“…South Africa is experiencing a general skills crisis, especially pertaining to the retention of its top talent or 'knowledge workers'. This 'brain drain' leads to the depletion or loss of intellectual and technical personnel, with a negative outcome that impacts the economic and social growth of the country (Du Preez, 2002). Internationally, Clarke (2001) reports on the critical labour and skills shortages in virtually all industries and Lengahan and Eisner (2006) stress that global unemployment rates and associated job mobility will not resolve the shortage of top talent.…”

Perceptions of the role and contribution of human resource practitioners in a global petrochemical company

“…An influx of unskilled people is further eroding the skilled workforce (du Preez, 2002). Strategic longterm people-planning and talent management is necessary if South African organisations are going to attract and retain competent and committed people to ensure business continuity and competitiveness.…”

Emigrant Inclusion in Home Country Elections: Theory and Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

“…People who were active in the [liberation] movement, all came back." 16 Yet also during the first five years of ANC rule, emigration rates reached the highest levels in the history of the country (Myburgh 2004); white South Africans comprised an estimated 90% of those moving abroad (Du Preez 2002). "The demographics of those outside the country [were] overwhelmingly white, upper middle class, and deeply antagonistic to the ANC," described an ANC source.…”