South Africa: Chickens are coming home to roost — by Kelechi Deca

Immigration and the challenges it poses is such an intricate issue that you can’t handle it by slashing off migrants.

I have been watching videos of employers who were forced to replace their foreign African workers with South Africans and their complaints are numerous.

From workers not showing up to disruption of work flows.

Even if the locals possess the much needed skills and the attitude to work, there’s still the issue of workplace culture and you can’t transfer such as if you are transfering blessings on someone.

And the worst period to induct new hands into organisational culture is during a crisis and uncertainty.

Those that joined Jecinta and co in the “Go Beck to Your Country” campaign lack the historical context that attracted skilled hands in some of the key sectors of the South African economy.

Public commentary without in-depth historical appreciation and understanding is shallow. That’s why it is hard to engage with most people.

When AGOA was launched, many African countries especially SADC countries found that textile is the lowest hanging fruit to access the North American market through AGOA, and South African government offered huge incentives to Chinese investors to tap into the sector.

The investors came in numbers and set up factories but needed skilled labour which neighbouring Malawi had in surplus.

Malawi has comparative advantage to other African countries and excels in textiles and fabric design due to its centuries-old artisan traditions. They have honed their craftsmanship over a century that it became natural to them.

Malawians have a strong cultural heritage centered around iconic printed fabrics like the chitenje, and a modern industrial resurgence thus they’re highly skilled in textiles technology.

Initiatives like the Garments and Textiles Incubation Center in Blantyre, Malawi alongside trade partnerships through COMESA, SADC, and AGOA, provide local artisans and small-to-medium enterprises with modern equipment and regional market access.

With the “Go Beck to Your Country” crowd baying for violence, Malawians left in droves and South Africa’s clothing and textile sector is feeling the impact.

Factories are losing workers and some retailers shifting production to neighboring countries. Manufacturers warn the disruption is affecting an industry already under pressure.