Using work-from-home in South Africa

Several jobs are in high demand in South Africa, and companies can make themselves more attractive to potential hires by offering remote work opportunities.

The start of the year often sees people change jobs, as they have received their bonus from their past employer.

2025 is also expected set to see a rise in hiring activity following a challenging 2024.

The REDi Holbourne Recruitment Group said that there was a slowdown in recruitment activity at the start of 2024 amidst an economic downtown and the General Election in May.

Following the South African election, there was an upturn and then it flattened out and declined again.

The group realised the importance of the US election, which has a far-reaching global economic impact.

Now that those elections are done, the global economy has started to return to normal.

“Hopefully this means that we can recalibrate and then in early 2025, we’ll start to see an uptick and growth in the economy which means growth in recruitment,” it said.

Notably, companies are investing heavily in tech talent to keep pace with rapid innovation and secure their digital infrastructures.

In the technology space, there’s also an ongoing focus on AI, Cybersecurity, and data-driven
solutions.

Popular roles include data science, machine learning engineering, cybersecurity analysis, and cloud architecture.

“There has been a huge focus on female recruitment and a drive to bring onboard more
females in the workplace,” says Nicole Dodd, REDi Holbourne Recruitment Partner in Tech/ Digital.

Sarah van der Walt, Senior Consultant: Tech & Digital at REDi Recruitment, added that South Africa’s tech and digital landscape is facing a critical skills shortage, especially at the management level.

She added that the critical skills shortage is due to various factors, such as a skills gap, emigration of skilled professionals (the brain drain) limited training opportunities, and a high demand for IT projects.

Financial Services are also seeing a rise in demand for roles in risk management, fintech, investing, and financial analytics.

As companies push for sustainable growth and digital payment solutions, financial professionals with expertise in technology and ethical investing are also sought after.

Although the talent pool remains limited, the demand is growing, and more professionals with these skills will continue to surface over time.

The recruitment consultancy also noted that flexible working arrangements are crucial for enticing potential employees.

First, for companies, the hybrid work model is becoming a lasting feature in many workplaces, with companies increasingly balancing in-office time and remote flexibility.

“While many organizations are calling staff back full-time or at least a few days a week—driven by office costs and the need to strengthen company culture, collaboration and performance —this model may not appeal to everyone,” said the group.

“Location can also play a significant role: head offices in attractive locations like Cape Town can give a company an edge, enticing employees with lifestyle benefits that other locations may lack.”

That said, for those that prioritise flexibility, the option of remote work remains highly appealing and businesses should hybrid options may hold a distinct advantage in the talent market.

Read: The good and the bad for South Africa heading into 2025