The topic of foreigners in SA is a hot potato, and one we all wish would just go away, without anyone wanting to address it. However, this has a very underestimated impact on SA and our economy — even if we are personally sympathetic and understand their tragic home country environments, much like the North African boat people tragedy. My information is that there may be up to 15-million foreigners in SA, mostly from Zimbabwe (you can add up the active accounts for cash remission companies), perhaps 10-million actually working here (half of Zimbabwe’s GDP is from remittances). Clearly if these figures are accurate and Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba is forced to supply houses to all foreigners, our own rural poor will have their advancement delayed, perhaps forever. Even temporary housing is difficult and could result in a further "invasion" of poor and hungry Africans who are oppressed in their home countries. Our top leaders need to apply their minds fairly and empathetically to...
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