Cross-border Migration in the Southern African Development Community (SADC): Benefits, Problems and Future prospects

Victor H Mlambo

doi:10.22610/jsds.v8i4.2062

Abstract

With rapid globalization sweeping through the globe, the movement of people throughout the world has increased significantly over the last 20 years. Motivated by the thrill of earning better salaries and living in countries characterised by better standards of living, people have travelled long distances in search of such opportunities. Undoubtedly, the economic buoyancy of countries like South Africa and Botswana has attracted thousands of migrants from the SADC who are seeking job opportunities, further straining government resources and impeding the effective functioning of border immigration services. The unequal rate of economic development in the region has further created an increasing gap between fast-developing and slow developing nations, hence the unequal rate of migration. Skills transfer and collaborations have been the major benefits of cross border-migration for SADC, although crime and xenophobia have also been identified as problems associated with cross-border migration in Southern Africa. The flow of remittances from South Africa has played a crucial role in fighting poverty and hunger in the migrantâ€™s home country and contributed significantly to government finances. However, the absence of a regionally accepted policy aimed at regulating migration means that illegal cross-border migration will carry on being a problem in the region and unfortunately the absence of policies aiming at spurring collective regional economic growth means illegal cross-border migration will increase in the years to come.

Highlights

Is it unquestionably clear that in an era characterised by rapid globalization, international and cross-border migration has become a beacon of hope for individuals and families seeking a better life, but it has portrayed a growing economic divide between developing and developed countries
Another study by Ngomane (2010) found that besides economicgrowth, cross border migration in Southern African Development Community (SADC) is being fuelled by social networks and family connections, the author opines that these factors will continue influencing cross-bordermigration in the region and concludes that cross-border migration will likely involve numerous families migrating in large numbers going forward
While cross-border migration is on the rise in the region, it is unfortunate that member states have not prioritised the collective development and adoption of economic agreements that would result in inclusive growth regionally, as this would be one of the mechanisms that can be employed to reduce illegal cross-border migration the region

Summary

Introduction

Is it unquestionably clear that in an era characterised by rapid globalization, international and cross-border migration has become a beacon of hope for individuals and families seeking a better life, but it has portrayed a growing economic divide between developing and developed countries. Many factors are in no doubt responsible for global migration, but the prospects of earning a better income and living in a country characterised by growth and political stability are the major reasons why people engage in migration. While countries located in the global South are known to be characterised by poverty, malnutrition, corruption and political instability etc., contrary to popular belief, many in countries in this region attract a high number of migrants from neighbouring countries, partly due to the different characteristics (economic growth, job opportunities, education standards etc.), that makeup countries within the global South. In Asia, countries like China, Taiwan, Singapore, India and Malaysia attract a huge number of migrants from neighbouring countries, and in South America, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico host a huge number of migrants from different countries in the region

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