Chief executives in South Africa are being challenged to offer better employment opportunities than their competitors, says Salesforce South Africa VP, Zuko Mdwaba.
Capitec chief executive, Gerrie Fourie recently described the local hiring market as a ‘war of talent’ with businesses struggling to hire from aHe added that in the context of IT workers or data scientists, which are highly technical professionals, it is easy to work for a London company but live in South Africa.
Another trend, however, has been developing in tandem with these mass resignations – a boom in the number of people starting new small businesses, with new business being formed increasing by 53% in 2021, when compared to the same period in 2019. “In South Africa, where the socioeconomic climate is characterised by record-high unemployment, the status quo is very different from other regions such as the United States. The ‘great resignation’ in America is arguably a white-collar phenomenon.
This trend is most apparent among Gen Zs and Millennials, who frown upon office-bound working environments and are doing much to resist the nine-to-five mentality, which may not be the most practical solution to obtaining a work/life balance.
I will always leave for a better salary I don't own shares in anybody's company, also if someone is willing to pay me more for the same job it means I'm not being paid my market value where I am.