Briefing Paper 542 – A Quota System for Migrants: Is this a solution? by Peter-John Pearson
On 19th January this year, Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), visited shops and restaurants in Johannesburg’s Mall of Africa ostensibly to ascertain the numbers of foreign nationals versus South Africans employed in those establishments. Mr Malema claimed to be doing this as part of an ‘oversight exercise’ in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.2 In his comments, Mr Malema said that the investigation was meant to ascertain that the employment arrangements were such that South Africans and foreign nationals were both employed, and to ensure that they worked together amicably in a manner that diffused any xenophobic tensions.