Student Migration in South Africa

Abstract

The paper examines the migration of students from francophone Africa (Central and West Africa) to South Africa (SA). Various sources of information were used including a survey of students conducted at the University of the Western Cape that serves as a case study. The results reported in this paper clearly indicate that the migration of students from francophone Africa is part of the massive migration influxes of international students currently experienced by South Africa. French-speaking African students move to South Africa because of the lower costs and also because of the deterioration of tertiary institutions in their countries of origin and the failure to meet the requirements for visa to enter industrialized countries. South Africa was a second best option in the destination choice. The country however compares favorably in most educational aspects apart from the social environment. Although the study motive emerges dominantly, the migration motivated by work or both (study and work) is also quite present. This mix of motives appears in both male and female students. The preferences in terms of programme of study are quite balanced between the natural science and the non-natural science related programmes. Working and studying do no exclude each another although employed students are relatively small in number. The type work shows a mix of academic and non-academic related activities in which the students are involved either on Campus or outside the campus. Even after migrating to South Africa, students maintain links with the home country through short visits, remittances and gifts. While in their majority some students intend to go back home after study, others have project of staying to further their study and take up employment in South Africa. This pattern of migration project suggests that migration of francophone students should not only be seen in terms of brain drain or brain gain, but also in terms of brain circulation which may have a major impact on the development of the country of origin.

Keywords

• brain circulation
• francophone Africa
• migratory project
• South Africa
• student migrant
• study programme