South African expats believe their skills and\u00a0knowledge would be useful and valuable to the country with many eager on exploring ways to\u00a0return,\u00a0according to a new report.<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s talent migration abroad has created a valuable knowledge network and an untapped asset base that can further the competitiveness of the country, reports The SABLE Accelerator, a global group of South African expats advancing commercial innovation and exchange with their home country.<\/p>\n
SABLE (South African Business Link to Experts) is based in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n
Rhodes University conducted a comprehensive online survey of its alumni in May 2013 with the help of GlobalFluency, an international marketing firm, and The SABLE Accelerator.<\/p>\n
It found that\u00a072% of Old Rhodian expats living in more than 20 overseas countries believe their skills and knowledge would be useful and valuable to South Africa, and 48% say they would be interested in learning more about incentives to relocate back to South Africa.<\/p>\n
The study included 957 participants from 22 countries, with some 40% (387) residing abroad.<\/p>\n
Countries where Old Rhodian survey respondents are living include South Africa, USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong\/China, Bermuda, India, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
Key findings from the survey on international Rhodes University graduates showed that:<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a massive pool of predisposed South African expatriate talent waiting to be tapped globally,\u201d said Donovan Neale-May, managing partner of The SABLE Accelerator (South African Business Link to Experts), and chairman of the Rhodes University Trust USA.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese stand-outs in many fields of endeavor are willing and eager to give back to the country. They just need to be invited, engaged, and recognized through a formal process of interaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
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