There is a strong desire among South African expatriates living abroad to turn the country’s continuing ‘brain drain’ into a ‘brain gain’.
This finding comes from a comprehensive online survey conducted by Rhodes University of its alumni with the help of GlobalFluency, an international marketing firm, and The SABLE Accelerator, a mentoring network for South African technology innovators with global ties, particularly in Silicon Valley where it is based.
It is a tragic fact that many of South Africa’s best and brightest university graduates have left the country during the past 40 years to gain career experience, influential contacts and positions of prominence abroad. Now, this survey reveals that a sizable 72% of Old Rhodian expats living in more than 20 overseas countries believe their skills and knowledge would be useful and valuable to SA, while 48% percent say they would be interested in learning more about incentives to relocate back to SA.
The survey attracted 957 participants from 22 countries, 40% or 387 of whom currently reside abroad. 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.
Key findings from the survey on international Rhodes University graduates show that:
* While 90% of Old Rhodians living abroad are satisfied with their lifestyle or professional position overseas, 32% would consider returning to, or retiring in, South Africa and 28% are undecided.
* 40% of Old Rhodians living abroad consider themselves ambassadors and champions of the new South Africa and 33% visit South Africa more than once a year.
* The majority of these global South Africans still identify with their home country – 36% say they have strong emotional and cultural attachment and 51% retain affinity and connections.
* 36% of Old Rhodians based abroad view transformation in South Africa positively, compared to 24% who view it negatively and 34% who are neutral.
* Friends and family remain the primary way for 81% of offshore Old Rhodians to stay connected to news and developments in South Africa; other important sources include Internet web sites (68%), international media (47%) and social media groups (41%).
“There is a massive pool of predisposed South African expatriate talent waiting to be tapped globally,” notes Donovan Neale-May, managing partner of The SABLE Accelerator (South African Business Link to Experts), and chairman of the Rhodes University Trust USA. “These stand-outs in many fields of endeavour are willing and eager to give back to the country. They just need to be invited, engaged and recognised through a formal process of interaction.”
For more information visit www.sablenetwork.com
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