- While it has economic might, Jonurg lacks safety and picturesque living.
- Favourable tech industry job in Cape Town has seen more setting their sights to the south.
- However, property rental prices and general cost of living is still a concern in Cape Town.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa has experienced a significant semigration phenomenon, where individuals and families are seemingly leaving Joburg in search of a better lifestyle and career prospects in Cape Town.
This is following an article in Business Live: The great semigration: Should you join the exodus? by Claire Bisseker, Annamia van den Heever, Adele Shevel and Joan Muller, which highlighted this growing trend.
We delve into the factors driving semigration by exploring the current state of Joburg, the allure of Cape Town’s lifestyle as well as the promising career opportunities, particularly in the tech sector.
The changing face of Joburg
For decades, Joburg has been considered the economic powerhouse of South Africa, with its bustling cityscape and thriving business districts. Once a booming city built on the gold rush, it is now experiencing a semigration trend as people seek jobs and a different lifestyle away from it.
@truelovemagazine A peek into the new La Parada restaurant in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. #laparada #joburg ? original sound - TRUE LOVE
The City of Gold is being categorised as having inadequate service delivery, with the disposition to frequent power outages due to load-shedding contributing to high unemployment rates.
Once the symbol of South Africa’s economic might, Joburg has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Persistent issues such as crime, urban sprawl and inadequate infrastructure have taken their toll on the city’s appeal.
While it still possesses significant economic opportunities, the allure of a safer, more picturesque setting, coupled with a more favourable tech industry, has led many to set their sights on Cape Town.
Recent years have seen a shift in the dynamics as Cape Town emerges as a contender for the title of the country’s economic centre. According to the article, Cape Town is trying to get more skilled workers to semigrate, (by a staff writer) in Business Tech, Wesgro – the province’s official tourism and investment promotion agency – chief executive officer Wrenelle Stander said:
“We will be doubling down and doing everything we can to drive economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape. Looking forward, we will be focusing on five key priorities: ease of doing business, investment and export promotion, enterprise development, skills development and energy resilience. What makes us different is that we are ‘open for business’ and we back business in the Western Cape.”
Tech opportunities in the Mother City
Semigration is driven by both the desire for opportunity and the need to escape misfortune.
In recent years, Cape Town has witnessed a surge in tech innovation and entrepreneurship, positioning itself as a leading tech hub on the African continent. This has made it an even more desirable destination.
The city’s growing reputation in the tech sector has attracted skilled professionals and start-ups seeking a supportive ecosystem and ample networking opportunities. This investment in infrastructure, incubators and collaborative workspaces has fostered an environment conducive to innovation and growth.
The Cape Town appeal
Cape Town is not known to be the friendliest city in South Africa. Thanks to the longstanding reputation that the people are cliquey, it is also a very expensive city to relocate to.
Rental and property prices are almost 50,2 percent higher than in Joburg, according to the article: Cost of Living in Cape Town | Complete Guide 2023, by Andrew Macfarlane at the Wise Move publication. However, Cape Town's lifestyle offerings are hard to match.
According to the article Is Semigration a problem or a solution for South Africa? by Tim Cohen for Daily Maverick, “South Africans are seeking out generally better-run cities, and here Cape Town does come out on top. You want a sense of accountability to reflect in demographic movement, and you are certainly seeing that among all races in Western Cape semigration.”
The city boasts stunning natural beauty, with Table Mountain providing a majestic backdrop to the vibrant metropolis. It’s popular for picturesque outdoor activities including surfing, hiking and exploring the Winelands.
Cape Town offers a range of housing options – from trendy apartments in the city centre to spacious family homes in the suburbs. Residents enjoy a thriving cultural scene, world-class restaurants as well as a host of recreational opportunities, creating a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
@truelovemagazine Olwethu Leshabane explores the new and improved sustainably-minded Country Road store at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. #CountryRoadStyle #WoolworthsSA ? original sound - TRUE LOVE
Personal experiences
We had a conversation with Terry Modise, a front-end developer for a finance company in Cape Town, who moved there from Joburg, sharing that it has been an interesting adventure.
“Initially I was just excited that I had landed a job with more income, then slowly it started to sink in that I’d be leaving my comfort zone,” she shared.
To this, she added that “fast-forward to today, three years later, and I must say I’ve grown tremendously and I’ve become so much more adventurous. There’s so much to do here!”
Terry also shared that she sometimes wishes that she could be living the same life, except with Joburg property prices as she has resorted to sharing an apartment with a friend due to high rental prices.
Another conversation with Karabo Mothusi gave us insight into a unique experience.
“My family lives in Joburg but we’ve always had a holiday home down in Cape Town that we’d visit during some school holidays or rent out on short-term leases occasionally,” she shared.
“After completing my degree towards the end of 2019, I struggled to find a job in Joburg,” she expressed.
“About a year later, after the pandemic, I asked my parents if I could go stay in the holiday home to see if I could find a job in Cape Town. Four months in and I got hired as a junior digital marketing manager and I haven’t looked back since.”
Karabo added that she had been able to start her career in Cape Town and was now able to afford to go to cool restaurants, events and head out on scenic drives to pretty weekend getaways. Is it worth it?
The semigration from Joburg to Cape Town reflects a broader societal shift, where individuals prioritise lifestyle and career prospects over traditional economic powerhouses. The allure lies in its natural beauty, vast activity offering and burgeoning tech industry, making it an attractive destination for those seeking jobs and a fulfilling life.
While Joburg continues to hold economic significance, the semigration trend suggests that the centre of gravity is shifting towards Cape Town. This is as more people get jobs and choose to call Cape Town home.
