Employment opportunities in South Africa
15. Jul, 2010 
5 Comments
It’s just funny when you realize there are employment opportunities everywhere in South Africa. The country is not under sanctions, tyranny, in a war or anything the rest of Africa seems to be experiencing. Maybe the reason why the continent admires Mzantsi. However my topic is not on politics. This column is about things that matter in personal lives -like jobs and health. Did anyone say jobs?
South African Entrepreneurs
For a week now I have seen two young South African entrepreneurs. I admired their business acumen –really. They told me how they could not succeed in the classroom but just failed to accept defeat. Two daring spirits, they took matters into their own hands. They sell their goods (fruits, roasted-bread and muffins) at a busy location taxi rank. In the mornings one can never miss them. To them its busy business time while everyone is rushing-off to work. I asked one how much they make on a good day, I was shocked. Something around R200! Now imagine how much they make in a good month. All tax free I guess. Most people receive less at the end of the month in their 12hr jobs.
Business Ideas
It might not be your best place to work but the idea is that anything you can put your mind to can be your salvation. There is a granny who made a fortune by selling tumble-weed in the US. Imagine tumble-weed. Today “her” tumble-weed is found on most intersections and roads on the American east coast.
What’s your fear? What’s your idea? These young men saw an opportunity and took a bold step and are on their way to owning their futures. They did not wait for someone to hand over a job to them. Yes they were not academic wiz’s, but they were intelligent enough to realize that most of us rush-off to work and do not prepare breakfast or a lunch box. And they were bold enough to try out their idea. It’s not a big corporate job but they surely are smiling to the bank. You won’t find them hanging around street corners with a panga in hand.
South Africa Jobs
Now tell me that the world is nasty. We always accuse the government, racism, foreigners, multinational companies, in fact everyone around us for taking away jobs. Worse still graduates are also crying in the same voice. A good degree can be a person’s undoing sometimes. We have many graduates who are victim to their education. Wake up! As a graduate you are supposed to be insightful and create employment. You are robbing us.
Employment
Do you have a good business idea? Do you see how you can solve some else’s problem? Do you have a plan of how to go about solving people’s problems? Problems make good business and people are never out of problems. Now there is your opportunity! It takes an open mind to break barriers.
Until next time. Keep looking!
Tai holds a Bachelor of Arts English and Comparative Literature and a Bachelor of Arts Hons. History from the University of Fort Hare. He has worked as a Call-center Telemarketer. He is currently working as a junior copywriter in Port Elizabeth. His passion includes writing and conveying simple but helpful ideas and things in life.
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I enjoyed reading your article, however, even when you have all the necessary educational, creative aspirations. PE has no job opportunities, no career advancement. I think the only place to live and aspire to greater things is in the Golden City named Joburg. I have tried every avenue to secure a job in PE, but to no avail. Joburg here I come.
I moved here from JHB really optimistic in starting my own business in a field that was proven to work in the “Golden City”. It didn’t. PE is different. To all other major cities in SA. What works everywhere else, just doesn’t work here.
However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I had to adapt. I really didnt want to go back to the muck and stress and you name it. 10 years later, I am still running my business in PE and doing very well. The idea is to think out of the box. Why rely on someone else to employ you?
I adapted to the mind set here. I must say it’s quite predictable and I think I should give a seminar on it :) Once you have the technique, it’s a hell of a lot easier than JHB. Sure the rates I charge are lower, but not all my client are from PE. Thinking out the box my business now doesn’t rely on PE at all.
It was a huge struggle in the beginning, but worth the perseverance in the end. I am glad I stuck it out. Almost got taken to the cleaners a few times. But those are just due to mistakes I made in misinterpreting the mind set here.
Best of luck to you in JHB, Yvonne.
Unfortunately, fate will not allow me to be part of your “Golden City” pilgrimage. I should admit, I have never fully stayed in Joburg to comment on life in the “Golden City”. I am not sure of how old you are – get some “Golden City” experience and exposure. There is an African proverb that says, he who does not go anywhere does not learn a new thing.
Still, once I was as fiery as a comet and thought I could escape to a better city and better opportunities… it did not work for ME. I decided to “hunt” for “golden ideas” which are not bound by geography… P.E. might be set in the “stone age” as compared to other “modern cities” but that has not stopped a few “enterprising” individuals to tap into the gold and still live in a peaceful and serene environment… it’s about a frame of mind perhaps …
Perhaps Karel can give a few pointers…
I am quite vocal about PE and it’s drawbacks. I have had many friends leave for greener pastures. Most of them seem to struggle anyway. I think what really happens here is the mindset creates the life you end up with. And you get to take this mindset with you. I am sure eventually your mind alters itself and becomes one with the JHB global consciousness and then you start to do well. Why not just get the right mindset in a place you would prefer to live geologically speaking?
There are plenty wealthy people living here. Why not associate with them? Live by their example. If you’re going to trade, trade beyond the borders of PE. You can’t fight the PE way, you can adapt, sidestep or just ignore it.
You only end up in the drama if you let the drama get to you. Don’t hang out with the small minded bickering cliques.
Powerful stuff Karel, I think this last bit says it all; “There are plenty wealthy people living here. Why not associate with them? Live by their example. If you’re going to trade, trade beyond the borders of PE. You can’t fight the PE way, you can adapt, sidestep or just ignore it.
You only end up in the drama if you let the drama get to you. Don’t hang out with the small minded bickering cliques.”
Once i longed for life in the big cities before i discovered how people were making good business elsewhere but living in a quiet, serene environment – good ol’ PE.
In fact its that story of those inside wanting out and those outside wanting to come in… I also was conditioned to the idea of life in Jhg being better and yet, you find some guys in Jhg yearning for a quiet life elsewhere…
As Karel put it; a change of mindset! you change your strategy… you wont need to go anywhere: trade beyond boundaries – technology has necessitated it.
Nobody has ever gone anywhere by thinking small…
its