Minister Schreiber Engages with Business Leaders to Foster Economic Growth

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Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb and a Business Representative on the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) immigration and migration committee, represented various stakeholders at the session.

Jacobs highlighted several key takeaways from the session –

Minister’s Grasp on Critical Issues: The Minister demonstrated a solid understanding of the most pressing concerns faced by the Department of Home Affairs.

Various Initiatives: The Minister outlined several initiatives and plans aimed at addressing the future of immigration policies in South Africa. His proactive approach signals a commitment to implementing effective solutions. He touched on the successful implementation of the Trusted Employer Scheme and leveraging the success for more companies on a long-term basis.

Addressing the Backlog: The Minister stated that he is unwavering in his pledge of support from the Department of Home Affairs as an enabler for business. He again emphasised the importance of clearing the current backlog, with a goal to resolve it by the end of the year. This will allow the department to focus on other crucial areas in 2025, including streamlining systems to prevent future backlogs.

Broader Economic Impact: The discussion highlighted that the Minister is not solely focused on visa regulations. He is also focused on the broader implications of immigration policies on sectors such as foreign investment and tourism. His commitment to enabling tourism and other economic sectors underscores his comprehensive approach to his role.

The Ministers Accessibility and Consultative Approach: The Minister is by far the most accessible and consultative Minister of Home Affairs in the past two decades. This openness is a significant advantage for the business community, providing them with a channel for effective communication and collaboration.

This session marks a promising step forward in fostering a collaborative relationship between the Department of Home Affairs and South Africa’s business sector, paving the way for constructive reforms and enhanced economic growth. The interaction left the business community with a strong sense of optimism, and we now eagerly anticipating further details on the initiatives discussed and the strategic direction he plans to take.

We are looking forward to the Minister’s upcoming presentation at Xpatweb’s Conference, titled “Lunch with the Minister” on 08 August 2024, where he will delve deeper into his vision for the Department of Home Affairs.

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PRESS RELEASE | Minister of Home Affairs to engage with business and key stakeholders

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Despite his limited time in office, Minister Schreiber has already committed to enhancing the DHA’s role as an economic enabler by accelerating the implementation of Operation Vulindlela’s reforms.

In his recent Budget Vote, he referred to priorities such as the finalisation of the points-based system for work visas, rolling out the remote working and start-up visas, updating the Critical Skills List more regularly, and making it easier for more tourists to visit South Africa.

The breakfast session, hosted by Xpatweb, will be attended by many of South Africa’s largest investors and corporates. These companies often find themselves in the position where they must recruit professionals with scarce skills globally and thus depend on the swift and efficient processing of visa applications.

Thie Minister’s visit follows Xpatweb Global Mobility Conference held last week.

During the Conference Mr Phindiwe Mbhele, Director of Corporate Accounts in DHA, highlighted amendments to immigration regulations which makes it less complicated for companies to apply for Work Visas.

He said when the Department started the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), there were a lot of scepticism among companies, but it is now regarded as one of the most successful interventions by the DHA in the last two decades. Under the scheme, eligible employers can be assured of expedited processing and reduced complexities in employing foreign talent.

Mbhele said Department officials will brief the Minister on the TES success and are positive a second round of applications for companies to be become part of the scheme, will be offered soon.

The programme for the business breakfast includes a panel discussion, moderated by media specialist, Jeremy Maggs to allow discussion and participation.

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