Local is lekker: South Africans abroad are flocking back home

Pippa Hudson interviews Jonathan Miller and Debbie Hawtrey of Geach Donaldson and Associates.

Listen below.

Amidst South Africa's myriad challenges, many individuals seek greener pastures abroad in pursuit of what they perceive as a better life.

According to Miller, the primary drivers behind this exodus include job prospects, improved quality of life, and a desire to explore global opportunities.

However, as families expand and children reach schooling age, there's a growing trend of return migration to South Africa, driven by a newfound appreciation for the social fabric unique to our nation, he adds.

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Recent statistics illustrate a notable influx into the country, particularly evident in Cape Town, where inward migration exceeds outward migration.

In fact, Cape Town boasts the country's lowest rate of unoccupied rental properties, attributed largely to the phenomenon of "semigration" from other regions, says Hawtrey.

To contextualise, while the national average hovers around 11%, Cape Town stands at a mere 2.5%.

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"Especially living in the Western Cape, it does feel like there's just a few more coming back than heading out."

- Jonathan Miller, Geach Donaldson and Associates

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.