What are my chances of getting a job?
Job prospects are limited for non-South African graduates. To enter the country you must already have an offer of employment but this can be difficult to get. Employers have to prove that they have been unable to employ a national for the job before employing a foreigner. There are, however, some occupations that do have a shortage of skilled workers and UK nationals may be able to gain employment that way.
- Typical problems encountered: there is a high unemployment rate in South Africa and a good supply of semi-skilled and unskilled workers, so vacancies may be readily filled by nationals. The government of South Africa also requires skilled foreign workers to have a minimum of five years’ experience and formal qualifications.
- How to improve your chances: as significant experience is required for the skilled jobs in South Africa, it may be best to spend some time working in the UK before trying to move out there. It may also be possible to get a transfer to South Africa if you gain employment with an international company which has offices there.
- Language requirements: there are 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English and Zulu. Most people will speak English and this is widely regarded as the language of business.
Where can I work?
- Major industries: mining, machinery, metalworking, automobile assembly, textiles, chemicals, iron and steel.
- Recent growth areas: South Africa has one of the fastest growing telecommunications industries in the world and the mobile phone industry is also growing dramatically.
- Industries in decline: the global recession affected a number of sectors, including the automobile and mining industry.
- Shortage occupations: chartered accountants, insurance professionals, auditors and consultants.
- Major companies: De Beers, Dimension Data, Eskom, FirstRand, Metro Cash and Carry, Naspers, Sappi, South African Airways, The Standard Bank of South Africa and Telkom SA.
- Search for more companies: Kompass South Africa
- a worldwide business directory searchable by country and product/service, Yellow Pages - South Africa
and South African chambers of commerce (for example, Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Johannesburg
and Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- search list of member companies).
- Major cities: Pretoria (administrative capital), Cape Town (legislative centre), Bloemfontein (judicial centre), Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
What’s it like working in South Africa?
- Average working hours: depends on the industry. For those in full-time work, a 40-hour week is typical (Monday to Friday).
- Holidays: 21 consecutive days (including weekends) plus 12 public holidays.
- Tax rates: South Africa follows a revenue-based income tax system. South African nationals are taxed on their worldwide earnings but those from other countries are taxed only on the income they earn in South Africa. An individual will need to pay tax in South Africa if they reside there for more than 183 days a year.
- Working practices and customs: business in South Africa revolves around establishing mutual trust. Business dress is often conservative. Mid-December to mid-January is a bad time to schedule a business meeting as almost everything closes down during this period. There may be a relaxed approach to time and, therefore, meetings can sometimes be postponed.
