South Africa’s new digital nomad visa has taken flight! The newly signed into law visa benefits a range of skilled workers across the world who look to have South Africa as a semi-permanent base.
These digital nomads typically look for beautiful destinations for three to six-month stays to work and earn money from the comfort of their laptops.
This tourist visa will allow a range of workers with various skill sets into the country. It will likely increase economic inflows through their spending on hotel bookings, property rentals, tourist experience and grocery spending.
For those wanting to become digital nomads this news is inspiring in that other countries may choose to follow South Africa by creating their own tourist visa. Budding digital nomads would do well to research the skills most sought after for this type of profession. Local businesses will need to look at how they can prepare for an influx of these types of travelers and how their needs may differ from those of a traditional holiday tourist.
Women accelerate solo travel
While solo travel as a whole is seeing ballooning interest, an increasing number of sources are indicating that women are important drivers of this trend.
The flexibility of the remote work culture, women being financially independent, and the desire and confidence of women to travel where and when they want to, have dropped the constraints holding them back.
“Women are more empowered now than ever before. They are using this sense of empowerment to embrace life and experience different countries and cultures around the world. There is no reliance on anyone – just themselves – and women are taking their travels into their own hands, to experience the best that the world has to offer,” comments Nicol Carelse, Guest Relations Manager at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront.
Digital nomad-driven digital skills
Some of the most in-demand skills for digital nomads include graphic design, coding, web design and overall digital literacy. These are also coupled with non-digital skills such as writing and copywriting but also soft skills such as adaptability, fast learning, and time management.
As Andrew Bourne, Regional Head, Africa at Zoho believes, “the right tech tools, at the right price can support digital literacy and develop the ICT skills South Africa needs”.
In fact, says Bourne, “we need to future-proof children so that they are equipped to apply for jobs that require digital and development skills”.
“With low-code platforms, for example, citizen developers can create complex and powerful business applications without requiring costly and lengthy training. Most low-code application development can be managed with users who only have moderate technical knowledge,” he adds
These types of skills are easy to learn and educational programmes can often be found through a simple YouTube or Google search. Budding digital nomads should also look out for Facebook and Reddit groups of like-minded people where they can ask questions that help them learn how to get into the industry.
A step in the right direction
The digital nomad visa is a step in the right direction and an important signal to foreign professionals that South Africa is keen and ready to welcome them as long-stay visitors. This is the view of Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel, but he also says more work remains to be done though to ensure we’re marketing South Africa as a destination of choice for these digital nomads, and highlighting the many factors that add to the country being the perfect work-from-anywhere destination.
“For European nationals, especially, it’s a mere overnight flight to South Africa, our digital infrastructure holds up to the best in the world and our weak currency, while not ideal for locals, is a boon for those earning in Pounds or Euros. Of course, the hope is – and the plan should be – to attract not just the digital nomads but also their family, friends and colleagues. At Kruger Gate Hotel we often welcome digital nomads to the property. Our facilities – and fast internet- are perfectly suited for working. And who wouldn’t want to do their next Zoom call overlooking the magnificent Sabie River?” he shares.
Remember to use home-grown talent
South African companies looking to hire great freelance talent such as a digital nomad should also be mindful to look out for locals applying for these roles. Some companies would also benefit from implementing skills training programmes that equip their staff with new digital skills every few months.
“There is no doubt that South Africa faces a skills crisis, especially when it comes to digital knowledge that will revolutionise the world. Yet, sourcing international professionals to fill the local digital skills gap is not sustainable in the long run, “ writes Ursula Fear, Salesforce Senior Talent Programme Manager.
Salesforce research has indicated that more than 60% of full-time desk workers do not have the skills to use generative AI technology – even though most of them are convinced this knowledge will advance their careers. As a result, training the next generation, as well as reskilling the current generation when it comes to AI, is a key component of the tech revolution.
“South Africa requires a mindset change, and the government cannot address the skills crisis alone,” says Fear. “It requires collaboration and partnership from the business sector to form long-term solutions that tangibly address the existing digital skills gap by providing youth with hands-on experience.
“Education and tertiary certifications form a critical component of empowering our current and future ICT workforce, but what is truly needed is the provision of hands-on experience and mentorship to sustainably develop leaders and entrepreneurs of the future and grow the South African economy.”
