Known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it is not difficult to understand why South Africa and Cape Town are so sought after for English courses, exchange and volunteer work.
Known for its wide variety of languages, cultures and religious beliefs, South Africa is considered to be an emerging market economy with strong growth on the African continent, ranked as the second largest economy in Africa. Despite social inequality, South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Known as the “rainbow nation”, by race diversity, 77% of the population is black, 12% white, 8.5% mestizo and 2.5% Asian.
South Africa borders countries such as Namibia and Mozambique and has approximately 3000 km of coastline. With hot and dry weather most of the year, South Africa is very famous for its sunshine, less frequent in the rainy seasons!
The Republic of South Africa is divided into nine provinces, each with its own legislature, prime minister and ministers. Instead of a capital , as usual in countries, South Africa has 3 capitals:
- Executive (Pretoria)
- Legislative (Cape Town)
- Judiciary (Bloemfontein).
Studying in South Africa
You can do volunteer work in South Africa while you study. For those who come to the country for this purpose, the free time of classes and work can be busy to know the wealth of the country. The city of Cape Town for example is a must stop. No wonder she is the most visited city on the African continent. With a very peculiar geography and fantastic natural beauty, the city is very reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro in many respects, especially the climate and the spectacular people.
Working in South Africa
With the Cultural Exchange Visa or Work Exchange Visa visa in hand, you can look for a paid position in the country, but you must be between 18 and 25 years old and have a college or recent degree. The main areas of occupation for foreigners in the country are:
- Hospitality, tourism and entertainment
- Bars and Restaurants
- Commercial Area
- Supermarkets
Visas South Africa – Brazilian Passport
For tourism or business purposes in South Africa, Brazilian visa holders with one-year validity do not require a visa of up to 90 days. To purchase it, you only have to present the valid passport with date of return to Brazil at the Consulate of South Africa, with at least 1 (one) blank page, besides presenting the CIV (International Vaccine Certificate).
There are 4 ways to apply for a work visa in South Africa:
General work visa : In this type of visa, a South African company hires a foreigner.
Critical Skills Visa: There are some skills and qualifications that are considered exceptional by the South African government. If a person has a profession that appears on the government’s list of critical skills, they may automatically apply for a visa. There is no need to have a job or job vacancy in mind. This visa is valid for 5 years and has possible extensions.
Inter-company transfer visa : This visa refers to the transfer of a professional from an overseas company to its South African branch or subsidiary. As a requirement, the applicant must have worked for a minimum of 6 months at the company’s foreign office. before applying to relocate and immigrate to South Africa.
Corporate Visas: This type of visa is granted to South African companies and allows them to hire a number of foreign professionals.
Some documents required to obtain a work visa in South Africa are:
- – Passport (original);
- – A recent photo;
- Certificate issued by an auditor of the consulate registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants or a professional accountant registered with the South African Institute;
- At least an amount of money to be invested in South Africa as determined from time to time by the Minister after consultation
- Applicant’s commitment that at least 60% of the total staff is a supplement to be employed in the company’s operations.
- – Birth certificate officially registered and in English;
- – Prescription (non-refundable) registration fee of R $ 675.00 reais
For immigrants who have received a job offer in South Africa :
It is necessary to clarify to the consulate the occupation to be followed, salary and benefits offered, besides the employer having to prove the necessity of the occupation of the position and the description of the related job. For this it is necessary to describe that no South African citizen or permanent resident was available to fill the position.
Prior to this requirement, the employer must have published in an official vehicle the vacancy available with details of the minimum qualifications and experience required to fill the position. This publication must be made three months in advance of the new immigrant employee’s contract.
Student Visa
If you are looking to study, exchange in South Africa and volunteer , whether to learn and acquire an English certificate or some specialty, the South African Consulate has an official list of Brazilian institutions licensed for the student exchange program.
Working in South Africa – Permanent Residence Permit
A Brazilian wishing to apply for a permanent residence permit in South Africa must fall into at least one of the following categories:
- Be in possession of a permanent job offer in South Africa;
- Have exceptional skills and qualifications;
- Have the intention of establishing a business in South Africa;
- be retired;
- Be financially independent;
- Be a relative of a South African citizen or holder of a permanent residence permit.
Yellow fever vaccine South Africa
It is required by the South African government, the Unified Health System and Anvisa that the newcomer to the country should have received the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days in advance of the shipment to the country.
In order to increase access to important vaccines for travelers to the country, Anvisa has vaccination rooms, strategically distributed at airports, ports and borders. It is important that people interested in finding jobs in South Africa contact Anvisa in advance to make sure which vaccines are available.
Work Areas in South Africa
Business seeking professionals in the country are currently in the following sectors:
- Information and Communication Technology;
- Clothing and Textile Manufacturing;
- Chemistry and Biotechnology;
- Agro-processing;
- Refining of Metals and Minerals;
- Tourism;
- Crafts;
- Automotive Manufacturing Industry.
Art and Culture in South Africa
Religion was an important pillar for South African culture. The official language is English , but South Africa has 11 languages now official at the national level. In 1994 culture was put on the agenda as an important topic to be addressed in the country by the Minister of Arts and Culture who created the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
Cost of Living South Africa
The official currency in South Africa is the Rand, and the cost of living in the country is approximately 30% lower than in Brazil.
Rent Cost: To rent a house there you need to enter the bank account number, in return, to have a bank account you must enter the address of the residence in the country. Most contracts are made between March and November. The cost of renting a house in a good two-bedroom condominium costs around R $ 3,500.00.
Cost of education : a first world school tuition is $ 700.00.
Power: the cuisine of South Africa is for everyone. For those who like seafood, have plenty of choice. The cost of good quality restaurants come to approximately R $ 75.00 per person, with food and wine.
Taxes: The annual car tax, called IPVA in Brazil, for example is in the amount of $ 100.00 per year. VAT – value of tax embedded in goods, as if it were the ICMS in Brazil – is around 14%.
Transportation: With the ticket for public bus transportation, it is possible to go and return to work for a month for R $ 80,00.
The Ten Most Promising Careers and Professions in Africa
According to the Moguldom portal , Africa’s emerging economy has possibilities for rapid growth and development. Currently, over 70% of the African population is young, under 25 years old. In this context there are some areas and professions in the African market that stand out for the future generation of African nations.
Public health
With the incidence of diseases, extreme poverty in the country has serious consequences for the health of millions of people in South Africa. So, more than necessary, doctors of all specialties are on the list of signings in South Africa. As As a result, doctors’ salaries on the continent become very high. There are many job opportunities in South Africa , especially for obstetricians, anesthetists, pediatricians, dentists and emergency physicians. Note: despite the high salaries, the conditions of some hospitals in the country are precarious.
Banks and Investments
One of the best areas to work for in Africa today is investment banking. Those working in this field often support government agencies, companies and organizations with the goal of raising funds and selling bonds. In Nigeria, for example, senior investors reach $ 82,000 a year.
Technology and software development
The technology market is growing practically all over the planet. And so, of course it is still developing in African territory. The accessibility of the internet in the region also brings the need for good software developers and web designers to create good websites, for example. Another profession that stands out in this scenario is cybersecurity experts.
Oil and Gas Engineering
As in the Gulf of Guinea, recent oil and gas discoveries in Africa suggest positive prospects for the sector. Currently, African countries account for about 7% of world oil and related production. However, data indicate that this number tends to grow. And for the country to have the necessary infrastructure for this venture in the oil market, it is necessary professionals who fill the job vacancies in South Africa and who mainly dominate the various disciplines of engineering, whether mechanical, exploration or flow.
Telecommunication engineering
Mobile is in 90% of communications made in Africa. So in an Africa with more and more technologies available, telecommunications are promising in the country! Increasingly needed, telecommunication-trained engineers in South Africa are experts in electrical engineering and information technology , and are often responsible for developing complex data systems and building infrastructure.
Aircraft Pilots
In a growing, large and international airlines fly to Africa. New routes on the continent also tend to move the aviation market in the country. That is why the demand for aircraft pilots is increasing among the job openings in South Africa. On average, the most experienced Nigerian pilots earn about $ 70,000 a year.
Real estate market
With the economic growth in the country the real estate market is on the rise, mainly for buying and renting commercial properties, business and industrial complexes, for example. Many world markets are saturated, but Africa has a huge opportunity for growth and job creation in South Africa .
Hotel sector
South Africa is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and to meet demand, quality infrastructure with good hotels, restaurants and other entertainment facilities in the country is necessary and essential to keep the wheel spinning and bringing. profit for the country through tourism. Especially to accommodate business travelers as well.
Top Universities in South Africa
If you are looking for a good higher education institution in South Africa, the three most important are:
- Best University of South Africa – University of Cape Town (UCT)
Founded in 1829, UC is the oldest university in South Africa. The school is public and is dedicated heavily in scientific research. The dedication of the students who followed the research line at the university resulted in a total of 5 Nobel Prizes for UCT! The University Hospital of Cape Town University is another merit for South Africa. It was there that the first heart transplant took place.
If you are looking for a university in South Africa , this should be your first option.
- Stellenbosch University
Of the universities in South Africa , dubbed the “City of Oaks” because of the number of trees there, Stellenbosch University is ranked second best. With a good amount of scientific publications, the University of Stellenbosch is renowned for its line of research. Its Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering is also strong, in addition to the science and arts areas that have good recommendations.
- Witwatersrand University
Characterized by its diversity of courses , 5 in total, the University of Witwatersrand is in central and northern Johannesburg.
Always focused on innovation and shaped by in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, it is the third university founded in the country.
Among its facilities, the institution has several museums and a planetarium that provides academic support for 28,000 students, guided by 3,200 teachers.
Thinking of studying at a university in South Africa? Keep Witwatersrand University in mind when choosing!
Top sights for those planning to work and study in Cape Town
- Water Front: Port that has been privatized and closely resembles San Francisco
- Table Mountain: a popular spot for climbers and tourists
- Cape of Good Hope: A ride that lasts about a day by car.
Major Cities in South Africa
- Cape Town
Cape Town is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it is not difficult to understand why Cape Town is so high with the surrounding wineries, nightlife, shopping and dining – all at very affordable prices.
- Johannesburg
Known at the time of gold mining, Johannesburg boasts one of the best economic, financial and cultural entertainment centers in the country! In addition, it is the most visited city on the African continent. Modern, cosmopolitan and with a rich mix of cultures and ethnicities, Johannesburg is full of attractions such as the adjacent city Soweto, which was a major focus of resistance against Apartheid.
3. Durban
Hot and packed with entertainment venues, if you’re looking for a beach destination that is perfect for surfers, it’s Durban – an interesting mix of Indian and African cultures.
4. Pretoria
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa and is home to several international embassies, official buildings and public agencies, museums and monuments. There the sports culture is strong in the population. Not to mention the countless possibilities of cultural entertainment (music, theaters and night bars).
- Port Elizabeth
The port city Port Elizabeth is the second oldest in the country. Known for being a friendly metropolis by the sea, with magnificent beaches and typical architecture, especially in the historic center. Entertainment there is strong with casinos, shops and excellent hotel infrastructure.
- Bloemfontein
Known as the ‘City of Roses’, the small, picturesque and historic town of Bloemfontein is like this, filled with flowers adorning South African gardens, streets and parks. For ‘Lord of the Rings’ fans, Bloemfontein is the hometown of JRR Tolkien.
Liked to know a little more about the South African labor market, see other professions on the rise here in the world.
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