SA Migration International

News Articles

SA`s population is getting older: `New report offers government blueprint for future planning`

Source: City Press, 10/06/2024

Expert says the new report gives government an opportunity to plan ahead to meet the country’s needs.

The South African population has grown by 1.1% in the past year to about 63.1 million. Of this number, 51.6 million are black Africans, followed by coloured people and the white population projected at about 5 175 608 and 4 607 554, respectively. People of Indian and Asian origin are estimated to be at 1.7 million.
The population projections by province, district municipality, local municipality, main-place and sub-place are contained in this year’s report by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR). The report has not only affirmed Gauteng as the most populous province but also that there are more women than men in South Africa.
According to the report released this week, Gauteng is expected to have the largest population of about 15.3 million people, representing about 24.3% of the national population, by the end of this month. The Northern Cape has the smallest population, with about 1.37 million people, which is 2.2% of the country’s population.
The number of men is projected to be about 30.6 million people, with the women expected to be 32.4 million. The population projections guide the allocation of resources more effectively by identifying areas with higher population concentration.
According to Joshua Kembo, a senior researcher at BMR, the report means government must ensure that healthcare, education, infrastructure development and social services are targeted where they are most needed.
He said:
In essence, local governments should use these projections to plan and implement targeted interventions to optimise the resource allocation as well as develop strategies to access the demographic trends
Kembo gave an example of KwaZulu-Natal, which has a population of 12.6 million, saying it would need substantial investment to cater for the people’s needs. KwaZulu-Natal accounts for 20% of the national population.
The report notes that the ageing population has increased slightly, while the youth segment has decreased slightly in the past year. Kembo says this means government should develop strategies to address this demographic trend.
“The 65 to 69 age group has grown from 2.58% of the total population in 2022 to 2.64% this year, with an increased female representation from 2.90% to 2.97%. This trend continues into the 80+ category, which remains stable at 1.1% of the total population but shows a notable female majority at 1.5%, surpassing the male percentage of 0.7%,” states the report.
According to Kembo, this will affect the provision of healthcare and social services:
The South African population is gravitating towards ageing as there is a substantial increase in the proportion of the population reaching 65 and above. This will affect healthcare and social services [provision]. Government should make sure there are adequate resources to cater for this segment of the population, as most of them will be relying on state support as they will be out of employment
With the report also showing a slight decrease in the youth population of those aged zero to 14, Kembo says this represents not only challenges but opportunities for government to create employment for this age cohort.
According to the latest Stats SA report, the official unemployment rate stood at 32.9% in the first quarter of this year, with youth unemployment at 45.5%.
“The sustained yet declining youthful base suggests that, while the immediate workforce replenishment is secure, the gradual ageing will necessitate strategic workforce planning, with a focus on youth skill development to offset the impending retirements of the older working-age population.
“They will need employment after their school years and it means [national] government and local government should ensure [there are] employment opportunities by getting them the right skills for them to be employable.”
While some might see this as a challenge, particularly with the latest unemployment rate among the youth, Kembo believes it creates opportunities to ensure there is always an adequate supply of labour.
He said:
This is a great opportunity that should be taken advantage of by giving the youth education, skills and opportunities as well
But he did raise concerns about the kind of education the youth are getting.
He added:
Are they getting the skills that are required by the industry so they can be employed [later]? Why is this a critical question that we are asking? It is because the unemployment [rate] is substantial. “A number of youth remain unemployed and we know that among them are also those who have attended tertiary [education institutions]. We must have fit-for-purpose training and we must align this training with demand
“Are they getting the skills that are required by the industry so they can be employed [later]? Why is this a critical question that we are asking? It is because the unemployment [rate] is substantial.
“A number of youth remain unemployed and we know that among them are also those who have attended tertiary [education institutions]. We must have fit-for-purpose training and we must align this training with demand.”
The ageing population is a natural phenomenon, says Kembo, as the health infrastructure develops and the eradication of communicable diseases that cause life expectancy to decline.

Search

Latest News

A South African woman is fighting for her rights to join her two lovers who are currently in the UK. Simone Carmen Johnson is part of a polyamorous relationship with two other people.On February 5, Johnson applied for an Unmarried Partner Visa and her application was declined on June 26, citing eligibility relationship requirements under UK immigration rules.... Read more...

Section 22(12) and (13) of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 were presented by the Refugees Amendment Act 11 of 2017, which came into force on 1 January 2020 (J Cassette, E Roos and AB Karjieker ‘Automatic abandonment of asylum application: An analysis of the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town v Minister of Home Affairs judgment’ (www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com, accessed 5-5-2024)). Section 22(12) and (13), Regulation 9 and Form 3 of the Refugees Regulations provide that asylum seekers who fail to (personally) renew their asylum visa within the period of 30 days on expiry of their asylum are considered to have abandoned their asylum application (Cassette et al (op cit)).... Read more...

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber on an oversight visit to the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office in Epping. Cape Town - Asylum seekers and refugees in Cape Town have expressed their frustration at long waiting periods at offices, saying they were hopeful the new ministry would improve this. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber visited the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office in Epping yesterday, where he got a first-hand look at the procedures that asylum seekers must follow.... Read more...

Work is underway to position the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as a powerful engine for economic growth. Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has emphasised the department’s crucial role in achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, a priority set by the Government of National Unity. Presenting the DHA’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Monday, Schreiber highlighted the importance of accelerating the reforms introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa through Operation Vulindlela. This government-driven initiative aims to speed up the implementation of structural reforms in key sectors to foster inclusive economic growth.... Read more...

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber plans to boost inspections by 50%, deporting those employed illegally.Home affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says in the coming year, his department will intensify inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms and mines by over 50% and take action - including deportations - against people illegally employed. The initiative was started under his predecessor, Aaron Motsoaledi, who earlier this year called for harsher sanctions against business owners who knowingly employ undocumented foreigners.... Read more...

I’m not sure what exactly caused this enormous backlog at the Department of Home Affairs. Only one day in office and the new Minister for Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has made an impact. In his first official act he extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are currently awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications, until December 31, 2024. Finally, some relief for around 145 000 applicants, many married to South Africans, who have been living in limbo and in constant fear of being declared an ‘undesirable.’ I’m not sure what exactly caused this enormous backlog at the Department of Home Affairs. Clearly, something big went wrong. It is important to acknowledge that there are many extremely hardworking and kind Home Affairs officials.... Read more...

South Africa`s Home Affairs fails court order, leaving 700,000 IDs blocked amid fraud suspicions unresolved. The department of home affairs (DHA) has failed to implement a court ruling instructing it to release some of the identity documents (ID) that were blocked on suspicions of fraud. In January, a judgment was handed down by the high court stating home affairs blocking more than 700 000 IDs was unlawful as the department had not followed proper procedure. Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), which represented more than 100 people, claimed none of its clients’ IDs had been unblocked in the stipulated 90 days.... Read more...

‘We started out with over 306 000 applications in this backlog, and I’m happy to report that we’ve cracked 100 000 now, we’ve cleared more than 30% of that,’ says Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber. JEREMY MAGGS: The new Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, has laid out his priorities saying his department is going to prioritise, among other things, dealing with the massive visa backlog, as well as stabilising the department’s online system. He joins me now and, Minister, first of all then can you provide more details on what specific measures are being taken to address this visa mess?... Read more...

Bangladesh is reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the controversial job-quota system More than 50 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago. A total of 778 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday as the neighbouring country continued to reel under deadly clashes over a controversial job-quota system. Indian missions in Bangladesh are in regular touch with the authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and students, the MEA said. `Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports,` the ministry said.... Read more...

Mass Arrest and Deportation: SAPS Targets Illegal Activities in Limpopo. In a large-scale operation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo province, 208 undocumented individuals were apprehended, and suspected stolen property was recovered.The operation, which targeted the Marble Hall and Groblersdall policing areas in the Sekhukhune District, began on the evening of Thursday, July 19, 2024, and continued until 11:00 the following day. The primary goal of this extensive operation was to address illegal activities in the Leeuwfontein area and surrounding farms. The results of the operation were significant, with the arrests breaking down as follows: -176 Zimbabwean nationals -28 Mozambican nationals -4 Indian nationals... Read more...