Stuff the Rhino - Where are all the White Ou's

'Stop exodus of skilled whites'
03/10/2006 21:19
Johannesburg - A leading South African think-tank called on the government on Tuesday to halt an exodus of skilled whites, saying their departure could prove fatal for the country's economy.
Africa's economic powerhouse suffers from an acute lack of skilled workers in both the private and the public sector, a problem the group said was exacerbated by what it called misconceived legislation designed to boost jobs for blacks.
"The country is very seriously short of skills - there could be potentially fatal consequences for economic growth," John Kane-Berman, chief executive of the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR), said in an interview on Tuesday.
The African National Congress-led government, which took power in 1994, has sought to remedy apartheid-era injustices that discriminated against blacks by introducing an affirmative action programme.
Poor quality education threatens economic growth
The white population in South Africa declined by 841,000 between 1995 and 2005, the biggest drop in at least 50 years, according to SAIRR, which was formed in 1929 to promote democracy and improve race relations in South Africa.
"The (affirmative action) legislation was entirely misconceived. The reason there aren't so many blacks in managerial positions is lack of supply not lack of demand. There are not sufficiently qualified black people," Kane-Berman said.
Government officials were not immediately available to comment on the criticism.
While many whites complain about affirmative action, blacks say there is a lack of educational opportunities.
Education Minister Naledi Pandor said last week poor quality education in public schools threatened long-term economic growth.
Exodus of skilled South Africans is a serious problem
Whites, who have always been a minority in South Africa, now account for 9% of the estimated population of 45 million people, down from 12.5% in 1995, according to the think-tank, which based its analysis on official data.
The government cannot confirm the rate of the exodus because it stopped publishing emigration figures in 2004.
"The heads of families are emigrating. They're professionals and they're taking their kids with them. We cannot afford to lose those skills," said Kane-Berman, an outspoken voice against apartheid whose group continues to monitor race relations.