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Cape Town - The retention of skills is central to the African renaissance agenda, yet the continent has lost an estimated 20 000 professional people a year since 1990, said Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Monday.
Speaking at the opening in Cape Town of a regional hearing of the Global Commission on International Migration, she said the exodus of skills was a consequence of low levels of economic growth and direct foreign investment.
Mapisa-Nqakula said that, in her view, the international debate on migration "seems to be characterised by an emphasis on security at the expense of development".
"It may well be due to the sensitivities of the issues that the debate also seems devoid of an appreciation of contemporary political challenges facing countries of the south.
Scientific research and analysis needed
"We should be aware that agenda-setting and the policy frameworks that result from such consultations may have a profound effect on the way in which migration is managed and controlled in the future.
"Undoubtedly, it is becoming very clear that immigration policies must be informed by scientific research and analysis.
"Such research and analysis must, of course, take into account the realities of the particular country, region and continent."
The minister said she supported the commission's objective of "raising the profile of the migration debate on the global agenda".
"I believe the themes of these hearings are all fundamentally important.
"For instance, the inability of many African states to adequately address poverty and underdevelopment can largely be attributed to low levels of economic growth and direct foreign investment.
"The consequence is 'brain drain' from those countries that can least afford to lose these skills, as well as increasing the flow of irregular migrants.
"The International Organisation for Migration estimates that since 1990, a total of 20 000 professionals leave the continent on an annual basis.
"The retention of skilled professionals on the continent is central to the African renaissance agenda," she said.