South Africa is the continent’s largest economy. Half a million new jobs were created in just one year and 1.6 million jobs over a five-year period. The trade industry, which employs more than three million people, accounts for 24 % of new jobs; the service industry, which employs 2.3 million people, accounts for 18% and manufacturing, with its 1.7 million labor force, accounts for 13.6%. Unemployment dipped slightly from 26.7% in 2005 to 25.5% in 2006.

Jobs in South Africa

Job generation remains slow and unable to keep up with the national rate of growth and development. However, many business executives expect the employment figures (as well as export sales and profitability) to improve this year. Many companies plan to invest additional capital in machineries and plants. South Africa retains an optimistic view of the future. The optimism is fueled by the country’s rich natural resources (including diamonds, gold and other metals), a diversified economy, the most developed infrastructure in the African continent, and the economic boost the country will receive from the Soccer World Cup Games in 2010.

Moving to South Africa

You can consult the non-profit Company for Immigration for assistance on applications for visas, residence permits and citizenship, accommodations, educational opportunities, insurance and financial matters, medical services, translation services, employment, and any other concerns. The government admits that the country needs skilled labor power to the tune of 1.1 million persons by 2010. It is open to people settling permanently in South Africa.

If you want to immigrate to South Africa, you can contact the South African Department of Home Affairs, head office of the Department or the Company for Immigration for more information. The Company for Immigration will facilitate coordination between immigrants, would-be immigrants, and government. Immigrants may be accepted as citizens after five years of permanent residency in South Africa. South African citizens are allowed dual citizenship as long as they get the Department of Home Affairs’ written permission to do so.

Immigrants are allowed to bring household goods and used equipment necessary for the practice of their professions into South Africa duty-free. If you are going to import a foreign vehicle, you will have to apply at the South African Bureau of Standards. Most students attend government schools although there are private schools run by churches or private corporations. As an immigrant, you may consult the Company for Immigration for advice on your children’s schooling.

Typical Job Prospects in South Africa

South Africa has more than enough unskilled and semi-skilled workers, and will hardly welcome immigrants who belong to these categories. However, skilled workers who are in short supply are encouraged to enter the country, especially by employers who want to relocate or establish new offices in South Africa. There is a shortage of senior managers in the public sector. The vacancy rate ranges from 60% in the Department of Foreign Affairs to 32% in provincial housing departments to 8% in the Department of Health.

South Africa has already lost many professionals such as nurses and teachers to countries like the UK and the USA. South African will need even more talent, with the amount of construction and other projects that are preparations for the Soccer World Cup Games in 2010. Official statistics indicate that over the past decade the greatest mobility of highly skilled people, both into and out of South Africa, has been among those in education, followed by engineers and architects and artisans. If you have the skills mentioned above, maybe South Africa should be your destination.

Typical Salaries and Benefits in South Africa

South Africa has very strict labor legislation and most kinds of employment are subject to minimum wage requirements. This even applies to domestic workers. Agricultural farm workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R650 (US$90) per month if they work more than 27 hours a week. They are not allowed to work more than 45 hours a week. The salary may be adjusted if the inflation rate reaches 10% and more. Food and living quarters may be counted as part of the salary. (One SA rand = 14 US cents)

General workers that are classified as Grade One employees in urban areas will earn R11.09 (US$1.55) per hour. Artisans who are on Grade 9 will be paid R26.21 (US$3.66) per hour. Employees will also receive bonuses for a period of three years, which go up from 15 days in 2007 to 16 days in 2008 and 2009.

A level 1 public servant earns about R35,000 (US$4,900) a year. On the other hand, a director general receives R67,000 (US$9,308) a year. Teachers’ basic salaries will increase from 99,540 to 114,423 (US$15,690) on January 2008, plus they will receive benefits such as housing, medical aid and pension. A principal on level 10 with five year’s experience will go from 109,962 to 126,067 (U$17,640), also excluding benefits. A nurse on level 6 will get a raise from 78,477 to R125,942 (US$17,640) excluding other benefits. These new salary scales (which will be implemented July 2007 or January 2008) indicate government's commitment to attracting and retaining skills in the identified needed occupations. (One rand = 0.14 US cents)

Basic Data on Taxes in South Africa

South African residents pay taxes on their global income while non-residents only pay their South African resource income. South African source income includes salaries and wages, fees, rent from properties located in the country and interest from loans. In March 2005, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) published a guide to taxation for foreign residents of South Africa in order to help clarify the tax position of expatriate workers following the switch from a source-based tax system to a residence-based regime in 2002. Under the ‘physical presence' test used to determine liability for South African taxes, those who are residents of the country for more than 549 days in a three-year period will be taxed on their worldwide income. They will also be liable for tax in South Africa if resident in the country for more than 91 days in each of the three years

High Demand Jobs in South Africa

South Africa suffers from a great shortage in skills in the following: engineering, ICT and education. Potential immigrants will find that they can obtain work permits so much easier if they possess these skills.

Immigration and Visa Issues in South Africa

When you enter South Africa, you must have a valid passport that covers the period of your stay in the country and a valid visa. The Department of Home Affairs website will assist you in getting the visa. A visa allows you to proceed to a South African port of entry. A temporary residence permit will be issued to you at the port of entry. It replaces your visa, and regulates the duration and purpose of your stay in South Africa. If you are required to have a visa or permit, it is advised to apply for your visa at least four weeks BEFORE your departure for South Africa, and await the outcome of your application before departing.

Best Job Locations in South Africa

South Africa's IT sector is growing rapidly and is considered one of the top ten emerging markets for computer companies. Nearly three quarters of IT workers are under the age of 35, and 43 percent of them have been in IT for fewer than five years. IT professionals enjoy higher-than-average salaries, low barriers to entry, and a relatively short training period. Currently, there is a shortage of skilled IT workers in South Africa. Many companies offer on-the-job IT training programs; some people enrol in certification
courses before applying for jobs. Of those who hold diplomas or degrees, most come from an engineering background, and computer-engineering degree programs are springing up nationwide.

Find Jobs via Websites in South Africa

You can go to the websites of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Federation of Unions of South Africa, Soroptomist International Pretoria and Women’s Net. You can contact various chambers of commerce in every locality and of course the Company on Immigration. Immigrants can send their CVs to companies. There is the Job Navigator South Africa and of course job advertisements in newspapers and government sponsored labor centers in various towns.

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Bob Sheth - Administrator at the Expat Forum. If you want to get in touch please use the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page.

I've been doing quite a bit of research about leaving the U.S. and living and working abroad. Cape Town, South Africa is one of the top cities on my list. I am in the early stages of looking around to see what jobs are out there and in which countries...I would like a more progressive country that is GLBT friendly and offer plenty of professional opportunity as well.

I have a bachelor's in health education w/ a minor in political science and a master's degree in training & development from Texas A&M University. I work in higher education (university student affairs) and would love to find employment in that area again.

How easy is it to move from the U.S. and adjust to life in South Africa. If I liked it, I'd even be willing to give up my U.S. citizenship.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Hi,
I have moved to South Africa and, being a US citizen, have felt the culture shock. I have traveled extensively throughout the world, but actually living in a place that is foreign to most that I knew, has taken some time to adjust. Mostly, it has been fairly easy, so far. The biggest change was getting used to the amount of "fear mongering" about crime and problems. While it is true that crime is prolific, it is possible to get along happily without it- but it is true that one must be constantly aware.

As for being GLBT friendly; I have heard that Cape town is an open-minded city. It seems to me that South Africans have priorities straight and realize that it does not mater who you love, it matters that you love-

Best!
Rokzy

__________________
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi

Thanks allot for this information. Really helps

AH, your very welcome Tyron.

You may also consider posting in the "South Africa Forum," you may get more response as well as better info. If you have not already, I also recommend "surfing" that "South Africa" forum, there have been a few questions directly about Capetown and you may get some more questions answered. I also remember someone asking about the GLBT situation in Capetown, you may meet a friend intrested in the same thing as you, (other than me of course!)

Rokzy


"

__________________
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi