While South Africa may be viewed as a third world country, it does not limit its ability to be one the best places for advancing your skills and furthering your career. As South Africa heads towards celebrating 20 years of democracy, the country occupies an increasingly strong position globally as well as being a leader on the Africa continent.
In the context of developing nations and looking at global economic indicators, they often highlight South Africa’s as a standout candidate with unique competitive strengths. These competitive advantages being leveraged to good effect to enhance the country’s standing in the global marketplace.
The country’s competitiveness, when measured against other developing nations and inclusion in the BRICS grouping is a testament to this.
However, to fully realise the countries potential, it does require help from abroad by means of investment and acquisition of scarce skills.
South Africa’s Position in the World
Before we look at how working in South Africa can help your career, let’s look at how the world rates South Africa. When compared to the other BRICS nations, South Africa comes in first in 5 of the 10 criteria the World Bank uses to assess ease of doing business, namely:
• Starting a business
• Dealing with construction permits
• Getting credit
• Protecting investors
• Paying taxes
These factors are encouraging to foreign direct investors and instil confidence that the country is open for business. Investors are reassured that the country offers a business-friendly environment where new trade, investment, and related economic interactions can be fostered.
Which jobs are available?
So what does that mean for the individual wanting to persue a career in South Africa? According to CareerJunction monthly jobs index released in January 2018, they stated that:
“While January saw an uptake in jobs of 7%, job seeker activity increased by nearly double that (13%). The year was off to a good start for the finance, ICT and manufacturing sectors which saw an uptake in jobs of between 4% and 6% during January,”
This index showed that construction, engineering and medical sectors have seen a decrease in vacancies since the third quarter of 2017, with jobs such as admin clerks, IT projects administrators/managers and systems/network administrators being the trending jobs of 2018.
Jobs that seem to standouts are
Admin Clerk
Average salary offerings for intermediate level positions per month:
– GP: R10,167 to R13,214
– WC: R10,700 to R12,938
– KZN: R9,080 to R10,875
IT Project Administration/Management
Average salary offerings for intermediate level positions:
– GP: R42,464 to R51,692
– WC: R43,704 to R48,400
– KZN: Not enough information available.
–
Systems/Network Administration
Average salary offerings for intermediate level positions:
– GP: R25,043 to R33,039 p.m. (CTC)
– WC: R20,933 toR30,737 p.m. (CTC)
– KZN: R15,750 to R21,333 p.m. (CTC)
If you’re actively looking for work in South Africa check out our post –
What are the benefits of working in South Africa?
When looking at the relative cost of living and quality of life vs your salary, South Africa offers a package that is really hard to beat. The country also offers amazing weather, rich and diverse culture, amazing beaches and top tertiary education for those looking to improve academically.
But what is so special about deciding to work in South Africa?
South African companies are starting to realise that to attract and retain top talent they need to go beyond offering a paycheque at the end of the month to their employees. A study by CareerJunction has filtered through its job data and has provided a list of some of the best job perks offered by companies in South Africa.
CareerJunction found that Medical aid contributions are one of the most common benefits offered to employees, in addition, to retirement contributions also added to that list. However, there were a few unusual perks which stood out – here are 7 of the coolest job perks offered in SA.
1. Food glorious food
As inflation has started to affect consumer prices especially increasing food costs, many South Africa companies are starting to invest in food as benefits and/ or incentives. After Medical aid and retirement, food and “great coffee” are among the most common benefits being offered.
2. Alcohol allowance
One of the listed benefits (for a job in consumer development) offers an alcohol allowance. Allowance implies that there is a limit, so it’s not quite an “open bar” policy, but with the recent jump in sin tax, this benefit may appeal to those who like to indulge.
3. Gym Membership
With the increase of being health conscious and fit, many companies across sectors and skill levels in South Africa offer free gym membership – either to company gyms, or popular gym groups like Virgin Active or Planet Fitness.
4. 100% Gautrain costs paid
If you’re choosing Johannesburg as your destination a great benefit is to leave the car behind. While many businesses offer access to a company carr – or in one case listed, access to a “pool car” for business use. A few Gauteng based companies are offering to pay 100% of employees’ Gautrain costs.
This really helps employees’ save on travel cost and decrease expenses.
5. 28 days of leave
Paid leave in South Africa is between 15 and 21 days, depending on where you’re working and what work you do. For some lucky software developers, though, the offer of 28 days off (that’s over five weeks) may just sweeten the deal.
6. 14th cheque
A number of jobs will offer the 13th cheque as an incentive, which many have become accustomed to and become somewhat of a norm. Some innovative South African companies are now offering the 14th cheque as an added bonus.
One position offering this perk lately was for a technical supervisor millwright. Which looks like a tactic to employ and retain top talent in a scarce field of expertise.
How to work in South Africa and still connect with your business in international waters?
The South African government realises that trading skills and resources across borders are key to prosperity and growth for the economy and legislation is starting to adapt to these needs.
South Africa has introduced new government policies which make starting a business in the country easier than ever.
This is done by implementing a new company law that eliminates the requirement to reserve a company name and simplifies the incorporation documents.
South Africa has also made transferring property less costly and more efficient by dropping the transfer duty and introducing electronic filing. Additionally, a new reorganisation process has been introduced to simplify the rehabilitation of financially distressed companies.
South Africa has also improved its performance on the trading across borders rank. In the same World Bank Index, South Africa has considerably improved its rankings (by 29 positions), due to the roll-out of government policy that addresses the need to decrease the time, cost, and red tape companies have to deal with to get products to port and shipped to international markets.
This will make it more attractive for foreign companies to set up satellite offices and have a vested interest in the country and in turn brining more foreing talent across.
Climbing up that ladder
While it’s not all about the benefits, it does make an impact in deciding how you plan to further your career for those who find perks like these attractive.
For more on skills, South Africa needs, I highly recommend checking out our posts:
- The Rarest Skills in South Africa
- 10 unique jobs you didn’t know were in demand in South Africa right now
Speak to a professional
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Sources:
- Brands South Africa
- Business Tech [1], [2]