Recruiters say South Africans abroad are quietly returning home, with foreign salaries in tow

Recruitment firm DNA Employer of Record says it has seen a sharp rise in South Africans returning home after years abroad, enabled largely by the global shift toward remote work.

CEO Anton van Heerden says most returnees are professionals who continue working for employers in Europe or North America while living in South Africa.

"We find that mostly people are remote workers, so they want to come back to South Africa but keep on working for their employer in Europe or elsewhere, but they choose to live in South Africa.

"People coming back are mainly professionals and skilled people, and we find it's in the age group of 30 to 50. It's from all kinds of industries and all walks of life."

Lifestyle factors such as family, climate and culture remain big drawcards, but van Heerden says political and job instability abroad has also 'shifted the scales'.

"I think circumstances overseas have changed significantly in terms of political stability and also job stability.

With the ability to work remotely, you have the security of a foreign employer but enjoydoing that at home."

He adds that these workers become South African taxpayers once they relocate, funnelling pay-as-you-earn revenue back into the local fiscus.

"The positives are massive tax revenues for our government. They all pay in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), and, secondly, we are getting skills back. Although they are working for overseas businesses, the fact of the matter is, they are in the country, and you never know what happens. The next job they might take is with a South African employer."

Van Heerden says South Africa is now considered one of the top destinations for remote talent thanks to its time-zone alignment, work ethic and cost advantages.

To listen to Van Heerden in conversation with 702's John Perlman, click below: