It's gone! How a Belarusian went to Africa to do business

Which African countries are the most suitable for employment?

For Russian citizens who care about their safety, it is recommended to get a job in South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Botswana, Gabon, Ethiopia and Djibouti. It is better to come to other countries only for tourism purposes.

South Africa is the most civilized country in the above list. Although it has a number of internal problems, its legal system is most similar to the European one. Therefore, it will be easier for foreigners to live and work there than, for example, in Zimbabwe.

Living in other African countries has a number of restrictions related to the terrorist threat, rampant crime and the low level of social infrastructure. In addition, you need to understand that high-paying jobs in Uganda are simply not available to Russian citizens. The same applies to dozens of other countries.

About working in Russia

A pleasant surprise was that Russia is a hospitable and friendly country. I was amazed at how friendly Russian people are, and not only in the office: taxi drivers, hotel employees, and even strangers on the street helped me.

Understanding the Russian language is not easy for me - until I had time to learn it. Your alphabet is similar to the Latin alphabet, but reads completely differently, so I make a lot of mistakes. For example, in English the letter “c” can be pronounced both “es” and “ka”. I am one of the few foreigners in the team, but there are no problems with communications - most of my colleagues speak English well.

With a family

Applying for a work permit

Getting a work visa in South Africa is difficult. Salaries in this country are not that low, so labor migration from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and other poorer countries is an acute problem there. Accordingly, South Africa has high unemployment, due to which the requirements for foreign specialists are becoming more stringent every year.

To obtain a work permit, a citizen of another state must present a valid employment contract, as well as a number of other documents.

The main difficulty is that many local companies refuse to enter into a work contract with anyone who does not have a residence permit in South Africa. It turns out to be a vicious circle.

The South African authorities have provided three types of work visa permits

1. General work visa - a visa for employment under a labor contract for a period of up to five years. To obtain this document, confirmation is required that there are no South African applicants for the vacancy; diploma recognition; wage level is not less than the national average.
2. Critical skills visa - issued to highly qualified foreign professionals with at least five years of experience in their specialty in a scarce and highly sought-after vacancy in South Africa. The visa grants the right to move to the visa holder and his family members. The visa is issued for a maximum of five years followed by registration of permanent residence.
3. Intra-company visa - issued to representatives of international companies if they open new branches or subsidiaries in South Africa. The document is issued for four years and gives the right to transport your family.

List of documents

Applying for a work visa to South Africa requires submitting to the embassy:

• a valid passport;
• completed application form;
• copies of the employment contract;
• a diploma or certificate confirming professional education;
• certificates of absence of AIDS;
• two photographs 35 by 45 mm.

The submitted application and other documents are reviewed within 60 days.

A visa is refused if

• an incomplete package of documents was provided;
• the form is filled out with errors, blots, or provides contradictory or unreliable data;
• the level of financial independence of the applicant is insufficient in the opinion of the visa officer;
• having a criminal record or being under investigation at the time of consideration of documents at the consulate;
• violation of South African visa laws in the past.

In the first three cases, the applicant has the right to submit a second application. To resolve the remaining cases, an appeal is provided.

What vacancies are in demand?

Working in a foreign country requires long-term residence in an unusual environment. Therefore, before such an important decision as looking for work abroad, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of this step.

Work in Africa for Russians is represented by vacancies in the following areas that are actively developing in the country:

• mining;
• processing;
• economic;
• medical;
• construction;
• food;
• tourist;
• educational.

Advantages and disadvantages of labor migration to South Africa

Advantages:

• low cost of housing - 100-150 thousand US dollars in an elite area;
• mild climatic conditions, proximity to the ocean;
• several thousand Russian immigrants, which will facilitate the process of adaptation to the new environment;
• respectful and friendly attitude towards the “white” population;
• low taxes (compared to European countries - two times lower);
• affordable and high-quality food products;
• favorable conditions for running your business;
• multi-ethnic population;
• variety of cultural and historical monuments and attractions.

Disadvantages include:

• high unemployment;
• difficulty of employment and migration;
• paid medical care and education.
• public transport is poorly developed;
• high crime in some areas of the city - slums;
• high level of corruption in the state apparatus:
• slowness is a feature of the mentality of the local population.

Be sure to take into account the peculiarities of the mentality of the local population in order to successfully adapt to an exotic lifestyle that is different from the European way of life.

All employment agreements in the Republic of South Africa are concluded on the basis of the Key Conditions of Employment legislation, which has been in force since 1997. This law regulates the rights and obligations of the employee and the employer, issues of labor protection and social justice.

Key requirements are put forward for foreign workers

1. Availability of education, work experience and qualifications in the specialty.
2. English language proficiency level confirmed by an international certificate.
3. Having a work permit.

Working conditions for foreigners

Difficulties at home and at work are one of the main reasons that discourage Europeans from working in Africa. Even if we take large cities, their social infrastructure is in poor condition.

Another problem is the high level of crime. The white man is of increased interest to local robbers. Moreover, even in the relatively successful South Africa, a similar picture is observed. Many urban areas cannot be visited not only on foot, but even by car.

Housing and sanitary conditions also leave much to be desired. If in big cities you can still find a relatively comfortable apartment with air conditioning and a bathroom, then in the provinces the extreme begins.

Vaccinations

Before traveling to tropical countries in Africa, you must be vaccinated against malaria and other infections that may occur in this region. Lack of immunity to the diseases raging on the continent can be fatal for a European. Vaccinations can be done at a regular district clinic. A list of infectious diseases common in a particular region of Africa is available on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The standard of living in South Africa directly depends on the average salary, which differs by city:

• Johannesburg - 57,400 rubles.
• Cape Town - 54,300 rubles.
• Pretoria - 45,800 rubles.
• Alberton - 40,700 rubles.
• Durban - 40,100 rubles.
• Nelspruit - 27,100 rubles.
• Port Elizabeth - 25,400 rubles.

The average salary in South Africa is about US$1,120 per month. Qualified workers claim amounts from two to five thousand dollars a month.

Also, higher wages are offered by employers from large cities. Finding a job in megacities is easier and faster due to the concentration of large, including international, companies there.

The standard of living in South Africa is the highest of all countries on the African continent . The country is rich in mineral resources and precious stones. The state is actively developing the economic sector and occupies a strong position at the international level.

Starting a business in South Africa

Businessmen planning to invest in Africa will find it useful to familiarize themselves with the features of starting a business in the most developed country of the entire African continent.

The South African government has launched financial programs to support new companies. The main condition for receiving financing is that the business undertakes to work for the development of the country's economic sector.

New businesses are supported by companies operating in different industries. Such programs not only support national enterprises, but also help foreign businesses, thus attracting investment.

To open a business in South Africa, two conditions must be met.

1. First, the cost of a business in the state must be at least 40 thousand dollars.
2. Secondly, the enterprise must provide jobs for at least 4 South African citizens.

A document confirming that the businessman has forty thousand dollars is attached to the application. These two documents are submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A short business plan is also attached to the package of documents. This procedure is carried out in order to check the criminal record of the entrepreneur.

After the stage of submitting documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the entrepreneur must transfer the money to an account in any bank in South Africa. Thus, the businessman receives a residence permit in the country, and he can enter and open his own business.

Next, registration takes place in the Central Register of Companies of South Africa. Documents submitted for registration are reviewed for six months. The tax fee is paid along with the application and package of documents. Depending on the city, its size varies and reaches $500.

“Moving to Russia is an adventure”

I won’t say that moving to Moscow was something risky. More like an adventure. When you work in innovation, you are constantly looking for something that will drive you: new experiences, opportunities. I never thought that I would be invited to Russia! Therefore, when the opportunity to work in a new market unexpectedly arose, I immediately agreed. A year and a half ago, my wife and nine-year-old daughter and I found ourselves in Moscow.

Before moving, I didn’t know much about Russia: of course, I heard about Pushkin and Dostoevsky, chess, culture. But in reality everything turned out to be much more surprising in the good sense of the word.

What vacancies are in demand?

If you are looking for work in Africa for Russians, then the vacancies here are most suitable for mining industry professionals. These are oil workers, mining engineers, gold miners, deep drilling specialists and miners. Low-skilled personnel are not needed in Africa. This is a very poor region where the unemployment rate among the local population is very high.

Work in the medical field

In Libya, as well as in some other countries north of the Sahara, qualified doctors are in demand. It is not difficult for Russians to get a job as a doctor in Africa. Vacancies are usually offered for a year or even several years. Proof of diploma is not required. All that matters is specialized education and practical experience. The salary level for nurses is about $1000 with free accommodation. Doctors earn $1,500 and up.

Education

Teachers in Africa usually work as volunteers. It makes no sense to look for a teaching position in a regular school - the salary will be extremely low. In South Africa the situation is somewhat different, but it is unlikely that you will be able to get a job as a teacher there without retraining.

Diamond and gold mining

Construction

In some African countries, active construction of industrial, office and residential facilities is underway. Finding work on such construction sites is difficult. There are chances if the employer is a foreign company.

Engineers

If you do not take into account the most developed mining industry, you can find work as an engineer in the construction or reconstruction of any infrastructure facility. For example, railway lines. But we must take into account that such vacancies attract only those foreigners who actually have an acutely scarce specialty.

Average salaries in South Africa by occupation

The highest salaries are paid to foreigners, their average income is $3,000, for locals $1,420. If we compare it with the average salary in Kenya – $480, it is noticeably lower. South Africa has a high unemployment rate of 23-40%, but still requires workers from developed countries. Nowadays, many construction projects are being built, where huge amounts of investment are being made. Also, a lot of money is spent on the construction of hydroelectric power stations; the British company is doing this. A Russian subsidiary has been created in Cape Town, where vacancies are open for Russian-speaking specialists.

The government attracts foreign companies to build roads, residential areas, and railway tracks. A complete and modern infrastructure is being built. Businessmen from the UK, USA, Russia, and Europe flock here. The largest trade turnover is with China.

Gradually, interest in making money in South Africa is growing; Russians are considering job offers and agreeing to them because of the salary levels. The most popular destinations:

1. Engineering and technical sphere. Architects, designers, engineers, safety specialists, mechanics, and construction technicians are required. Average salary from $2000-10000.
2. Geologists, researchers for the search and extraction of minerals. The vast land area and natural landscape hide large reserves of minerals. Here they mean oil, gas, uranium ore, gold, silver, diamonds, aluminum, iron, aluminum, molybdenum. Previously, the South African Krugerrand gold coin was used as currency. In many countries, jewelry stores sell African rough diamonds. The cost of a real 3 carat diamond ranges from $3,000-20,000. The mining industry is the most active and profitable, accounting for 50% of exports in South Africa. Specialists in this industry earn from $3000-9000.
3. Medical professionals have always been highly valued on the African continent. Every year a huge number of medical specialists from different countries come here to provide timely and high-quality medical care to the population. Viral epidemics are still occurring in African countries, which is why international companies are hiring doctors. You can also volunteer as part of a UN mission. Medical specialists fight epidemics, monitor compliance with hygiene standards and administer the necessary vaccinations. Earnings start from $2000 and above.
4. Forestry, fishing, livestock farming - these industries are developing more slowly; farmers and managers are needed here. Only 15% of South Africa's total land is suitable for agriculture. This industry cannot be called weak, since local farmers grow over 100 types of fruits, which they successfully export.
5. The tourism business has acquired a new trend when the media increasingly began to broadcast travel shows, showing local attractions and incredible landscapes. Travel agencies provide travel services. Anyone who wants to find a job can consider the options of a hotel or restaurant manager, a guide, a chef, or a concierge. The demand for professions is growing, so you can come during the busy season and earn money.