In 2019 some 7% of South Africans were foreign-born. The general perception of the migrants, these 'others', among the South African public shows the tensions we referred to earlier in stark numbers. In complex conflicts like immigration policies and practices, the original facts and considerations get lost in the sound and fury, and the us-versus-them dynamic takes over. Does charity not begin at home, should South Africans not have preference when it comes down to sharing out scarce resources? *In part two of this article, to be published on Wednesday, Andre Vlok will look at more practical approaches in the immigration debate.

Source: News 24 January 11, 2022 05:01 UTC