Amidst its challenges it is sometimes easy to forget that South Africa has the prestigious reputation of being the most beautiful country in the world. An article by Buzzfeed said this about South Africa, ‘Unsurpassed wildlife and mountains, whales and waterfalls, architecture and antiquity, the world’s most beautiful city, and the world’s most stunning Spring, plus a host of natural treasures make South Africa “The Most Beautiful Country In The World”, and a must-see traveller’s dream.” Even when making an impact through the projects we do and the smiles we get to see we sometimes forget the amazing country that so many tourists experience. A country we sometimes fail to appreciate. In this blog post we take a step back and remember 7 things that make South Africa the most special country in the world.
- It is full of beauty, both natural and man-made. Cape Town as a whole encompasses both of these, with the amazing oceans and views as well as the gorgeous architecture and culture.
- Our coastal drives are above the rest. Chapman’s Peak and the Garden Route are a sight to behold, one that every South African needs to see at least once in their lifetime.
- Our diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Much of our wildlife can be see in our national parks, which protect them and aid in maintaining their ecosystems. Not only is South Africa home to the Big Five and number of endangered animals, such as the African Wild Dog and the Pangolin, but we also have a superb variety of marine life as well. Where else in the world could you view a whale from the shore and an elephant grazing with its herd?
- Our diverse floral kingdom. Even though there are number of alien plant species in South Africa, there are also numerous indigenous plant species. Our plant kingdom is diverse and home to incredible flowers, such as the King Protea.
- Our unique mountains and what they hold. Our most famous mountain is Table Mountain, named as one of the new 7 wonders of nature, but there’s more. The Drakensberg holds its own beauty, such as the Amphitheatre, and the Swartberg displays technicoloured sandstone cliffs and houses the Kango Caves, one of the most astonishing cave systems in the world. Our country is full of history and a lot of it has come from the earth, where we have found fossils and minerals that expand our knowledge.
- We are one of the world’s most colourful countries. Our flag and our people are not only the only reason we should be called “The Rainbow Nation”. In Spring, there are thousands of different types of flowers that bloom, transforming the harshest environments, such as Namaqualand into beautiful, natural gardens.
- Our sunsets are truly spectacular. No matter where you are in South Africa, our skies share the same beautiful hues and colours of sunset, reminding us that we are in Africa and that our country is beautiful.
Guide to living in South Africa
relocate efficiently and effectively with minimum stress.
- settle in to your new life quickly and easily and find the help and assistance you need, when you need it.
- identify areas to live in that suit your lifestyle and budget.
- find the right places to meet like-minded people.
- find schools that are suitable for your children and their learning needs.
- ensure that your family get the most of their experiences abroad.
- prepare for the new culture in advance and avoid any cultural traps.
- deal with any transition challenges.
- cut through red tape and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.
Travelling to South Africa with children
New requirements, introduced by the South African Department of Home Affairs from 1 June 2015, specify that all minors (children under 18 years) are required to produce, in addition to their passport, an Unabridged Birth Certificate which shows the details of both parents for all international travel to and from South Africa.
Further documentation may be required.
For full details please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Travellers will be asked to produce the required documentation at check-in for each flight.
Important contact information:
- The South African Department of Home Affairs, 0800 60 11 90 (toll free from South Africa)
- Your local South African Embassy
School group exemption:
Special dispensation has been made regarding documentation required for children travelling via South Africa for minors accompanying school tours. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for further details.
Working in South Africa
Taking a Look into the Economy
The combined efforts of the South African workforce place it firmly at the top rank in Africa in terms of GDP per capita. South Africa accounts for almost a quarter of the continent’s GDP. Since the abolition of apartheid, the nation has been strengthening and mending its international ties, leading to many countries’ and multinational corporations’ heightened interest in trading with or working in South Africa.
Today, some of the most important economic sectors include industry, particularly the automotive and the emerging IT and communications sectors, mining (the nation has considerable wealth in natural resources), as well as the banking and services sectors in general. While agriculture plays only a marginal role, those South Africa’s vineyards bless gourmands across the globe with world-class wines.
The nation’s economy is heavily localized in a few large areas, which is also the reason for the ongoing rural depopulation. Today, the vast majority of residents are working in South Africa’s economic hubs in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and the Pretoria-Johannesburg area.
FIFA World Cup 2010
Both nationally and internationally, the FIFA World Cup 2010, the largest event ever to take place on the African continent, raised hopes for a considerable economic upturn for the country. The signs were positive, with the creation of many jobs leading to employment opportunities in South Africa’s tourism and construction sectors. However, while the event itself was a large success, the positive economic side effects did not last long, leaving the country with considerable debt. Nevertheless, it was considered an asset for the nation as a whole, since South Africa was able to present itself positively in the global spotlight.
The Economic Issues of South Africa
While the economy in the abovementioned areas rivals that of most industrialized countries, the economic state of the countryside is far less advanced. Often, those hoping to find a job in South Africa’s main hubs leave only the very young or very old behind. Thus, the number of those fit for working in South Africa’s countryside diminishes continuously.
Unemployment in South Africa is extremely high. About a quarter of the population is out of a job, and the majority of unemployed people live on less than 1.25 USD a day, the threshold for extreme poverty.
Opportunities for Expats
There is a steady demand for foreigners and expats who are willing and qualified to work in South Africa. The country has been experiencing widespread brain drain during the past two decades, i.e. highly skilled experts and university graduates opting against taking up employment in South Africa and going abroad instead. This unfortunate fact opens up many opportunities for expats, often in lucrative positions. Oftentimes, gathering experience — and quite a bit of cosmopolitanism — through an attractive opportunity of working in South Africa has given expats quite the career boost!
The Road to Legal Employment
South African immigration law offers a wide variety of temporary residence permits that make living, studying, and working in South Africa possible for foreigners and expats. There are also special permits for retirees who would like to spend their golden years in the country. In this regard, South Africa is a very open and welcoming country.
In general terms, your dream of relocating to South Africa begins with a successful application for a job opening in the country which cannot be filled locally. Furthermore, the department of Home Affairs issues an annually updated list with occupations in which there is a lack of qualified personnel, directly inviting expats to fill positions in South Africa’s key economic sectors, often in executive roles. Another option is the intra-company transfer for overseas employees working for South Africa-based subsidiaries or affiliates of their company.
With the right set of skills, you can also take the initiative and get a work permit for South Africa without having to score a job offer. Highly qualified experts and individuals with particular expertise in their field are always welcome to start working in South Africa! Read our article on moving to South Africa for further info on work and residence permits.
Who is VFS?
Visa Facilitation Services are a global company that has been introduced to South Africa. Gone are the days of submitting applications through Home Affairs directly. In order to make any residency application within South Africa whether it MCs Temporary or Permanent Residency you must submit through VFS.
VFS is simply an application centre whereby their role in this process is to simply take in applications that have been submitted and send to the Department of Home Affairs for adjudication, VFS plays no role in approving/rejecting the outcome of an application.
