1 million skilled South Africans left the country
John Endres, the CEO of the Institute for Race Relations, said that a large number of highly skilled South Africans are living overseas.
He added that it can be difficult to convince them to return to South Africa, as they have built lives overseas, especially those who have left long ago.
Endres shared his view on the South African diaspora and the prospects of them returning home during a Biznews interview with Alec Hogg.
The United Nations’ International Migrant Stock data showed that 1,005,800 South Africans left the country after 1990. 107,500 of them left in the last six years.
To find out why they left and what it will take for them to return, the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has launched a Diaspora Survey.
“The goal of this campaign is to make South Africa a place worth coming to,” said IRR Strategic Engagements Manager Makone Maja.
Maja said that professionals leaving South Africa had led to a shrinking tax base and skills shortages across many industries.
However, their campaign goes beyond that. “It is also about building a South Africa in which all citizens feel they belong,” she said.
Convincing South Africans who have left the country to return is not easy, as the reasons why they left are likely still prevalent.
One of the biggest problems is that the emotional ties keeping emigrants connected to South Africa weaken significantly over time.
“If someone has only been gone a year or two, returning is relatively easy. However, after they have built families, networks, and careers abroad, returning is harder,” he said.
He added that the decision to return ultimately involves comparing South Africa’s trajectory with that of their host country.
“If South Africa can create forward momentum, optimism, and economic dynamism, it could make the country an attractive destination for expats again,” he said.
He added that if South Africa can fix its own situation, the return of citizens would bring massive amounts of skills, capital, and international business networks back.
Teachers are leaving South Africa
A good example of skilled South Africans leaving the country is the exodus of teachers, specifically to Australia.
Robbie Ragless, a director at New World Immigration, said that there has been a significant increase in South African teachers moving to Australia.
This trend is accelerating. He said that since April 2026, more than 1,000 South African teachers have enquired about moving to Australia.
What is particularly concerning for South Africa is that the teachers leaving the country are experienced and highly qualified.
49% of teachers applying to leave South Africa have more than 8 years’ experience, with another 24% having 3-8 years’ experience.
54% of these teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree, and another 10% have an Honours Degree. 2.3% have Doctoral degrees.
Ragless explained that Mathematics and Science teachers are in the highest demand due to shortages in these fields.
The shortage of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics teachers in Australia makes visa sponsorship more attainable.
The biggest reason these teachers are leaving South Africa is a better future for their children and families.
Other prominent reasons include better career opportunities, having family members already living in the country, and better financial prospects.
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You cannot blame this on the current state of South Africa. Some people studied for years or have years of experience, and they get replaced with people that is not qualified. The pass rate in South Africa is 30%. I see a *degree* or whatever just as a piece of paper. I am an IT + Web developer. I do not like to speak to IT here because they talk too much, but I have to. When I speak to them, they have no experience. They are either book smart or AI smart. People move to other countries to secure a future for their families. We had a chance to go to USA when my father was alive, and my mother said no, she did not want to leave SA.
We have the second most beautiful country in the world, only behind New Zealand but it gets overshadowed by corruption, racist policies and violence. No one does anything about it. Here, normal citizens started fixing potholes out of their own pockets as the government just doesn’t do anything.