[CTJUG Forum] Promoting Africa

[Dr Heinz M. Kabutz]

Hi everyone,   based on my observations over the last few months / years, I have formed an opinion about Java development in Africa.  I would like to bounce some of these off you, please post your comments to the list.   1. Vacuum of good Java developers:  Several companies in Cape Town are looking for experienced and good Java developers.  Overseas there is a huge pool of these to choose from.  Whilst I know several excellent Java developers in Cape Town, they are all happy where they are.  There are lots of junior Java developers here, but not many available senior Java developers.   The reason for this is that there are good programmers leaving the country, but it is almost impossible for foreigners to get a work permit in South Africa nowadays.  So people leave, but no experienced talent from overseas comes here.   2. Status of Java development in Africa: I know there are several companies who are doing their Java development in South Africa (Mosaic, Intec, to name a few).   The reason for this is that we have good skill here.  We are not cheaper than eastern europe, china and india necessarily.  However, the developer vacuum is threatening the whole system.   3. Racism a serious threat to software development in South Africa: we have not stopped judging people by the colour of their skin.  Companies are being pressured to not give permanent employment to whites.  In addition, it is hard for a skilled white programmer to advance to senior management positions.  This contributes to skilled people leaving the country, which in turn creates the vacuum of developers, ultimately damaging software development in South Africa.   I would appreciate some discussion around these points, and any of the following:   A. Examples of excellent Java companies in South Africa   B. Examples of good Java programmers leaving the country   C. Examples of contributions by the Java community of South Africa to the rest of the world.   D. Estimates of how many professional Java Programmers we currently have in ZA. Kind regards from Heinz -- Dr. Heinz M. Kabutz (Maximum Solutions) Sun Java Champion Author of "The Java(tm) Specialists' Newsletter" http://www.javaspecialists.co.za Tel: +27 (83) 340-5633