11/7/2016

5 things immigrant Built Environment Professionals can do to solve challenges they face in South Africa - The Hard Hat Professional

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Daniel Chinounye born in Zimbabwe is a 14-year-experienced Quantity Surveyor currently

working with a European multinational company based in their South African branch. Daniel
has experience working in many countries in East and Southern Africa in various construction
commercial roles including ; working as a Consulting (Professional) Quantity Surveyor,
Managing Quantity Surveyor for a growing construction company in Zimbabwe, Cost
Management Engineer and Planner for Southern Africa region, Estimator for capital projects
based in South Africa but focusing on tenders from all over Africa, Tendering and Estimating
Manager in Tanzania and currently working as a Lead/Senior Quantity Surveyor for a unique
acid mine drainage and treatment plant fast track project in the eastern side of
Johannesburg in South Africa.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Department of Home Affairs for its efforts in issuing
critical skills and quota work permits to deserving foreign Built Environment professionals
such as Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Technologists. After getting such permits, it is
also relatively easier to get the permanent residency permit. Although some may argue and
say the process of getting such permits is too rigorous; I tend to differ from that notion.

To those with all the required qualifications and experience, there is a relatively fair process
of getting such permits if you follow correct procedures, hence my highlights below are not
about the shortcomings of The Department of Home Affairs but the challenges faced by the
Built Environment professionals after getting permits to work, stay and do business in South
Africa and possible solutions to such problems.

http://www.thhp.co.za/archives/5-things-immigrant-built-environment-professionals-can-do-to-solve-challenges-they-face-in-south-africa/

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11/7/2016

5 things immigrant Built Environment Professionals can do to solve challenges they face in South Africa - The Hard Hat Professional

In line with the National Development Plan (NDP), The Engineering Council of South Africa
(ECSA) had 3327 registered foreign professionals in different categories in 2015 and many
others were not registered due to their lack of working visas. ECSA is just one example of the
key regulatory bodies in South Africa. There are many others for various Built Environment
professions that are equally working with government bodies to regulate immigrant
professionals.
Since 2014, there has been positive collaboration between Built Environment professional
bodies like ECSA and government to try and mitigate the registration process and make
changes from a situation whereby registration of professionals was guided by some
international treaties or accords rather than individual merit. For instance, formerly the
registration of engineers was guided by the educational standards set out in the Washington,
Sydney and Dublin Accords. Currently there is an improved equality in professional
registrations which is based on individual merit.

In light of the above efforts by the South African Government and professional bodies,
Immigrant Built Environment professionals are advised to get the required permits and
registrations for them to work and do business legally in South Africa. Failure to do so may
result in deportations or punitive measures as every country and system primarily seeks to
protect the interests and rights of host citizens.

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11/7/2016

5 things immigrant Built Environment Professionals can do to solve challenges they face in South Africa - The Hard Hat Professional

Although language barriers play a role in avoiding smooth interaction and mingling of people,
elements of segregation based on xenophobic and racial connotations cannot be ignored in
South Africa. This can be traced back in the history of South Africa, where racial issues before
and after independence continue to make news in the negative. Xenophobia has a space in
the contemporary history of the country, so although xenophobic violence is not always
there, care must be taken to avoid xenophobic behaviour in public places and most
importantly at work places.

Regardless of which angle this negative phenomenon of xenophobia in South Africa is taken
from, immigrants are the targeted subjects. A lot of articles have been written about the
negative effects of xenophobia. However, although such articles were correct, they dealt with
obvious negative effects mainly complaining or blaming the perpetrators and the host
government, hence this article is focusing on persuading immigrant professionals to make
efforts to help the situation.

Immigrants also have a responsibility to try and minimise xenophobia by taking steps in
ensuring harmony with locals and give a high quality service. Immigrants should engage in
orientation and learning the local workplace cultures and most importantly learning local
languages, especially isiZulu and Afrikaans languages which are widely spoken in South
Africa.

Immigrants should show support for local workers unions and colleagues at work places.
Immigrants should show high standard and quality of work as well as high ethical standards
and morals because a simple bungle may prompt doubt on the authenticity of the
immigrants qualifications and experience.

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11/7/2016

5 things immigrant Built Environment Professionals can do to solve challenges they face in South Africa - The Hard Hat Professional

Many organisations give orientation to new employees and that includes new immigrant
employees. However, the organisational orientation might not be enough to make a new
immigrant worker acclimatise to all the facets of ones profession in South Africa. Like many
other industries, the construction industry has a lot of various alternative standards. For
instance, there are various types and alternative specifications, methods of construction,
design standards, methods of measurements, forms and conditions of contracts, computer
software and so on.

Once immigrants get the permission to work in South Africa, this is an area that one needs to
focus on by taking extra time studying and practising in order to be in line with the local
industry norms. Adaptation to local standards is very important; otherwise failure to do so
will be equivalent to or seen as incompetence.

Fortunately in South Africa there is a good culture by organisations to promote Continuing

Professional Development (CPD), so for the required fundamental standards chances are high
that the employer will provide resources for further training which is usually in short courses
form. In required critical skills or standards where employers do not provide resources for
training, individuals are advised to pay for their own training as a personal investment.

In addition to knowing your rights and responsibilities as an

immigrant permit holder, one has to have basic or even in-depth knowledge about Black
Economic Empowerment (BEE) in South Africa. This is more important to immigrants who are
in responsible positions of authority and immigrants who are business people. For instance,
ignorance of the BEE concept can be a big problem in South Africa and may jeopardise
chances of getting contracts or business due to low BEE scores or levels. On the other hand,
it must be known that lying about ones country of origin or skin colour in government papers
is as good as a crime against humanity in South Africa.

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11/7/2016

5 things immigrant Built Environment Professionals can do to solve challenges they face in South Africa - The Hard Hat Professional

The South African government and professional bodies are making efforts to support the
regularisation of qualified immigrants in critical skills categories. Immigrants are advised to
make efforts towards minimising challenges associated with working away from home by
getting the required permits and professional registrations as well as striving to know how
things are done in South Africa.

In this month of September which is dubbed a heritage month, immigrants are encouraged to
take the opportunity to show appreciation of their home country heritage as well as the
South African heritages where they are working. My employer is a multinational company
and we have fun every heritage day where all employees come to work in their traditional
attires. Apart from being fun, this increases embracing one another regardless of where they
come from.

Are you an immigrant Built Environment Professional in South Africa? Do you agree? Let us
know in the comment section below.

The views expressed on the blog are not the views of The Hardhat Professional but that of
the author.

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