Spent 5 years as the GM of a restaurant.
South Africans applying for waitering jobs slouched through the front wearing jeans, t-shirts, and always chewing gum. One literally said, picking her nose, “I want job”.
Zimbabweans applying for waitering jobs were always smartly dressed, polite, well-spoken, with CVs in hand.
Guess why my front of house staff were 100% kwere-kwere?
Back of house was majority South African, and all locals were unionised, and some were extremely difficult to work with, often causing trouble with the foreigners.
Restaurants aren’t hiring local because they’re crap for customer-facing roles that require clear communication, a friendly demeanour and a “good service” attitude.