Extreme weather conditions and geological events in many parts of the world this year, as well as prolonged political protests, huge financial upheavals and declining employment opportunities in the US, UK and across Europe are prompting many expats to make plans to return to SA.
So says Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, who says: “Even before the street violence that hit London recently, we were receiving several calls and Internet enquiries a month from expats planning to return to SA and starting to look for homes here, as well as from South Africans finishing up work contracts abroad and preparing to come home.
“Now this activity has spiked, of course, but even if it drops back to earlier levels, we believe there is an excellent opportunity here for SA to gain some of the skills we really need in order to start creating more jobs – if government does not put a spoke in things with unrealistic and unwieldy immigration processes.”
He says concerns about the nationalisation of assets and rising taxes are also deterrents for expats thinking of coming back to SA, “and many of those we speak to don’t discount the crime rate and serious weaknesses in the education and health systems either, especially if they have families.
“However, most interest is coming from younger people without such ties and the prevailing attitude among them seems to be that there are major problems all over the world now – or at least the potential for such problems to arise at any moment - and that they would rather be where they have a supportive network of family and friends and can face any difficulties in a familiar cultural and financial framework.”
For some, says Everitt, the motivation is purely financial. “They are well aware that there is a worldwide shortage of talent and skills, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit for which South Africans are renowned. And they are trading on the fact that many SA companies are currently prepared to offer excellent packages to skilled expats who will work in SA - even if they only stay long enough to train a local replacement.”
And then, he says there are those who with the perspective of having lived abroad for a few years see great new business opportunities in SA even if it is a risky environment – and who stand to be among the biggest contributors to job creation, so should be made to feel very welcome.
Everitt says the properties most favoured by expats contemplating a return to SA are lock-up-and-go homes in estates and security complexes, priced at between R850 000 and R1,2m.
Despite the circumstances always good to hear that folks are coming home!
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