Farmers and agricultural workers are flooding into South Africa from neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, and Mozambique.
This data was detailed in a recent Parliamentary Q&A, where the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) was asked for the total number of work permits issued in the last financial year.
In response, the DEL explained that it provides recommendations on corporate work visa applications regarding the availability of local labour in various categories.
According to the department, it received 60 corporate work visa applications covering 6,255 migrant workers.
Of these, the DEL negatively recommended (rejected) 5,383 (86%) and positively recommended (approved) 872 (14%).
The approved visas included workers from several countries, including China, India, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Pakistan, the UK, Israel, and Zimbabwe.
The various sectors included agriculture, education and training, manufacturing, mining, maritime, wholesale, and retail.
However, 91% (796) of the recommended approvals of work visas from the Department of Employment and Labour were for farmers and agricultural workers.
Most of these foreign agricultural workers came from neighbouring countries, Zimbabwe (445), Lesotho (250), Namibia (70), and Mozambique (30).
WHY ARE THEY COMING TO SOUTH AFRICA?
The chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), Wandile Sihlobo, told BusinessTech that these migrant farmers and workers are moving to South Africa for better opportunities and pay.
“South Africa’s agriculture is robust and growing. We had about 924,000 people working in primary agriculture at the end of the last quarter of 2024.
“There are workers in the sector from neighbouring countries who are attracted by competitive wages in South Africa’s agriculture,” he said.
“The revised agricultural Minimum Wage in South Africa is R28.79 per hour. In Namibia, the sectoral determination for farm workers is at R10 per hour.” This makes work in South Africa attractive, he said.
In some instances, Sihlobo added that farmers also provide lodging, which assists. Some, such as Lesotho, bring unique skills in sheep shearing, amongst other aspects.
However, Sihlobo stressed the importance of ensuring that South African workers receive primary work opportunities and that neighbouring countries supplement them when necessary.
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What do you all think about this??
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This will actually make them think they are the US of Africa

Hmm