South Africans seeking to emigrate, who are unable to meet the skills points criteria to move to the more traditionally popular destinations like the UK and Australia, are now increasingly seeking out alternative global locations that offer both the lifestyle and security that they desire for their families.

The disquiet over the “importation” of Cuban engineers by the government brings to the fore an important discussion on skills and unemployment in South Africa, and how we debate. Until now, many South Africans would have been under the impression that this country suffers a skills shortage, particularly in technical and specialised fields.