Once their emigration became noticeable, SA's skilled began to fear the consequences of the economy's rich core shrinking significantly. This bandwagon effect is accelerated as the ever-rising costs of emigrating make moving more difficult. Potential destinations will tighten their entry controls as emigration increases. Chief areas of dissatisfaction are costs of living, tax levels, safety and security, and the standard of public and commercial services. A clear indication that SA's professional environment is not in decline needs to be conveyed.
Skilled immigrants are easily mobile and thus immune to the bandwagon effect.
A significant and steady inflow of skilled immigrants would therefore alleviate the anxiety fuelling the brain drain. Since November 1998, the home affairs department has approved about half of all work permit applications. The department is seen by enterprises hiring overseas employees as obstructing their efforts. The postponement and loss of private sector growth and job opportunities has been cited as a result. He says SA would experience net immigration if authorities were sensitive to investors' needs to import personnel.