Why software developers are leaving SA

Bradley Prior

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Why software developers are leaving SA

OfferZen has published its State of South Africa’s Software Developer Nation 2019 report, which shows that developers want to leave the country in droves.

“In order to shed light on what we see playing out in our marketplace every day, we sent out a survey to the developer community,” OfferZen CEO Malan Joubert said.
 
I'm staying for now but work for a remote company (not based in SA), it really is a great situation as I have the flexibility to go basically anywhere that has internet.
 
I would love to leave too. Preferably before my family is murdered.
Don't get me wrong, I love this country...it's certain people that turn it to sh*t.
 
I’d drop everything and leave. Tired of getting crap opportunities.. that seem to be the ones I get offered jobs at.
 
I’d drop everything and leave. Tired of getting crap opportunities.. that seem to be the ones I get offered jobs at.

Its not sunshine and roses overseas either. The South African development pool is shallow and here they will let anyone interview.

In places like Asia you need a M.Sc or higher just to make the interview for a junior dev. It is different if you have connections but don’t kid yourself that being a developer is special and guarantees anything.

Not trying to be a dick but in SA moving around is easier - unless you’ve been golden handcuffed. Especially if you are on a worker visa and need sponsorship you need to make sure you getting into a good place overseas.
 
Please share this with our friends from India, there is no shortage of them coming this side, so dont worry.
 
n places like Asia you need a M.Sc or higher just to make the interview for a junior dev. It is different if you have connections but don’t kid yourself that being a developer is special and guarantees anything.
That sounds like BS.
 
Its not sunshine and roses overseas either. The South African development pool is shallow and here they will let anyone interview.

In places like Asia you need a M.Sc or higher just to make the interview for a junior dev. It is different if you have connections but don’t kid yourself that being a developer is special and guarantees anything.

Not trying to be a dick but in SA moving around is easier - unless you’ve been golden handcuffed. Especially if you are on a worker visa and need sponsorship you need to make sure you getting into a good place overseas.
That sounds like BS.

I'm not sure of Asia specifically but many countries have degrees that span 4 years meaning these people jump straight into a master as the second level of study. Personally in Aus I haven't come across many MSc candidates and those I have come across haven't been very good. I can't speak from my own experience but other saffers that have studied here have said the work in universities is pretty easy compared to SA standard. I also have had no issues moving from job to job. It always comes down to the same thing - if you can do the job in just a competent manner you're a winner in the software world.

At the end of the day you can't beat good base degree with plenty of on the job experience. Couple that with a good experience test and good candidates should shine, although they are few and far between, no matter what the country.
 
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