South Africa's 1st Brain Gain Report

Following the 2024 Future of Leadership Summit™, it is my pleasure to announce the Launch of  South Africa's Inaugural Brain Gain Report - based on the 2030 Innovation Challenge: 

"What will it take for South Africa to advance from ranking 75th currently in the Global Prosperity Index to the 10 Best Countries to live in by 2030?"

The Context

The Future of Leadership Summit 2024 was held on May 16-17, 2024, at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The summit gathered top-ranking executives from some of South Africa's leading institutions to discuss and assess the current state of affairs in the country.

The primary objective was to gather insights and develop a comprehensive roadmap to address South Africa's socio-economic challenges, with a particular focus on stopping the brain drain, retaining university graduates, and improving the country as a whole.

Special thanks goes to Victor Lange who was instrumental in collecting and analyzing the data during and after the 2024 Summit and produced the Brain Gain Report (see download link below) as well as the slide deck that was presented to the LinkedIn Audience at a special LIVE Edition on the 29th August 2024.

The Future of Leadership Summit 2024 highlighted the immense potential of South Africa and the collective will of its leaders to address the country's challenges. By focusing on the strategic areas identified, the government can create a thriving environment that retains young talent that fosters sustainable growth.

Roadmap2030: The TOP10 Innovation Challenge

As seen above, South Africa currently ranks 75th on the Legatum Prosperity Index (out of 167 countries surveyed), which aims to advance the understanding of what drives success in nations, through measuring several different all encompassing factors.

“Prosperity is far more than wealth; it is when all people have the opportunity and freedom to thrive ... It is driven by an open economy that harnesses ideas and talent to create sustainable pathways out of poverty. And it is built by empowered people, who contribute and play their part in creating a society that promotes wellbeing.”

The Inaugural Brain Gain Report reveals the following insights into attracting and retaining top talent and critical skills for SA Inc: 

• The Global Talent Battle: Which Countries are actively poaching South  African Skills?  

• What exactly are receiving countries offering South  African Talent? 

• The 10-Step Plan for Retaining Healthcare Professionals 

• Regions Excelling in Healthcare in South Africa

• Conditions for Attracting Talent from Other Countries to South Africa

High Demand for South Africa's Medical & Engineering Skills

The global north—including Canada, Germany, the UK, and the UAE—is poaching talented South Africans to fill their skills deficit, and young South Africans are taking them up on their offers.

Several immigration experts and surveys have shown that the global demand for skilled South Africans is growing, especially for critical skills such as doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, and IT professionals.

• According to Germany‘s statistics, projections indicate that by 2035, Germany’s ageing population will face a shortage of 7 million skilled workers, particularly in rapidly growing sectors such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

• Canada is actively recruiting foreign skilled healthcare and Information Technology (IT) professionals, including South Africans. Canada is experiencing persistent staffing shortages in the healthcare sector and has come to rely on foreign workers to fill positions in clinics, hospitals, and senior care facilities nationwide.

• Immigration consultant Nicholas Avramis said he has seen a 50% spike in interest from doctors and nurses who want to immigrate to Canada. The same goes for IT specialists. Avramis noted that northern and developed countries are all hunting for teachers, IT specialists, and healthcare professionals (nurses and doctors).

“There is a race to recruit healthcare and other professionals in the Global North (Canada, France, UK, UAE, Qatar, etc.),” said Avramis

ICT and Engineering Skills head hunted by The Netherlands

Due to the critical skills shortage experienced by many countries, South African talent is in high demand and actively being head hunted. Case in point, The Netherlands is facing a shortage of ICT professionals and engineers professionals, which offers significant opportunities for South African engines, with salaries reaching R1.6 million.

This talent gap has become a critical issue for the country’s tech sector as rapid digital transformation and technological innovation continue to drive the demand for skilled professionals in information and communication technology (ICT) and engineering fields.

• As a result, many companies are struggling to fill essential roles in software development, cybersecurity, AI, and engineering, hindering the growth of both startups and established corporations.

• To address this gap, the Netherlands has been easing immigration policies and providing attractive incentives for skilled foreign workers. These skilled and in-demand foreign workers include South Africans.

• According to the latest statistics from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS), the number of highly skilled migrants who immigrated to the Netherlands from South Africa more than doubled, increasing from 900 to 1,860 in just over a year.

“This trend is likely to continue as Dutch employers seek to grow their skilled labour force through the recruitment of skilled South Africans,” said Ir Olav’s Globetrotters managing partner, Sonja Poortman.

The Competitive Advantage of Receiving Countries

The United Kingdom is currently topping the list with the most South Africans Immigrants (247,336).

• The United Kingdom attracts South Africans with its diverse job market,

• Offering robust opportunities in finance, healthcare, technology, and engineering.

• High salaries and comprehensive benefits significantly improve the standard of living.

• The UK's prestigious universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, provide high-quality education and globally recognized degrees.

• The National Health Service (NHS) ensures comprehensive and free healthcare

• The country's low crime rates and political stability offer a secure environment.

• High living standards are further enhanced by excellent public services and cultural richness.

• The UK’s skilled worker, student, and ancestry visas facilitate easier immigration,

• The UK’s established South African communities also significantly aid in cultural and social integration.

'Concerning Trend in South Africa's Healthcare Sector

The data displayed here highlights a concerning trend in South Africa's healthcare sector. The densities of physicians, nursing and midwifery personnel, pharmaceutical personnel, and dentistry personnel have either been declining or remain significantly below global averages.

While there is a slight increase in the density of physicians, it is not enough to bridge the gap. Particularly alarming is the sharp decline in pharmaceutical personnel, the persistently low level of dentistry personnel, and the reports coming through that more and more nurses are leaving or are wanting to leave the country.

These trends indicate critical shortages in essential healthcare providers, posing significant challenges for the accessibility and quality of healthcare in South Africa.

Retaining South Africa's Critical Healthcare Skills

In addition to improved working conditions and Competitive Compensation & Benefits, the 10-Step Plan is recommending urgent improvements in the following areas:

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Supportive Work Environment

• Recognition & Appreciation

• Enhanced Security & Safety

• Effective Management & Leadership

• Policy & Legislative Support

• Universal Health Coverage

• Addressing Rural and Underserved Areas

Pockets of Excellence in South African Healthcare

• Telemedicine and Digital Health Ecosystem: The Western Cape has made significant strides in implementing telemedicine and electronic health records (EHR) systems. The province's Provincial Health Data Centre (PHDC) consolidates clinical data across government services, creating a coordinated digital health ecosystem. This system links patient data from various sources, allowing for a comprehensive health record that improves patient care and health outcomes.​

• VECTOR Program: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Cape activated a telemedicine response called VECTOR, which utilized a risk-stratified algorithm to manage COVID-19 patients remotely. This program demonstrated the effectiveness of telehealth in managing patient care and reducing hospital admissions​ (SciELO)​.

• Healthcare Facilities: The Groote Schuur Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital are renowned for their high-quality care and advanced medical research.

Conditions for Attracting Talent from Other Countries to South Africa

South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its socio-economic journey. The insights and data gathered from the 2024 Future of Leadership Summit and the detailed analysis in the 2024 Brain Gain Report underscore both the challenges and opportunities the nation faces.

Projections suggest that if the right actions are taken, South Africa can turn this critical period into a turning point for long-term prosperity. By addressing the root causes of the healthcare sector's struggles—such as improving working conditions, increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure, and implementing policies that retain and attract talent—South Africa can transform the current brain drain into a brain gain.

Such measures would not only stabilize the healthcare sector but also bolster overall economic growth, reduce unemployment, and enhance public health outcomes. By leveraging these insights, South Africa can chart a course towards becoming one of the best countries to live in by 2030.

The following blueprint outlines strategic actions to address the current most pressing issues and capitalize on the country's strengths

The 2024 Brain Gain Report

To download the full report, please go to https://dealmaker.teachable.com/p/south-africa-s-1st-brain-gain-report-660480