Jobs threat in South Africa

BeztForex and Zynched founder Herman Bezuidenhout says people working in jobs that involve repetitive screen-based tasks could be at serious risk of their roles being automated or reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI).

One company, Mediclinic, has already started moving to replace some staff with AI in South Africa.

Writing for the Sunday Times, Bezuidenhout said people unsettled by the shift to AI are right to be worried, as large language models can complete complex tasks that were once reserved for skilled individuals.

“Writing, translating, coding, forecasting, even drafting legal documents — these are now being done in seconds by tools powered by AI. At a fraction of the cost,” he wrote.

“If your job involves repetitive screen-based tasks, whether you’re crunching spreadsheets, writing reports or conducting research, your role is at serious risk of being automated or significantly reshaped.”

Bezuidenhout believes that, over the next five to 10 years, businesses will observe a decline in demand for roles like administrative assistants, paralegals, legal researchers, entry-level accountants, data entry clerks, and junior analysts.

While they won’t disappear overnight, their demand will slow, pay will stagnate, and job security will reduce.

However, he noted that it’s not all bad news and not all jobs are at risk, with many rising in importance.

Many jobs, including some that are frequently overlooked, will remain resilient. These jobs require hands-on skills, emotional intelligence, and physical presence.

These skills include electricians, plumbers, builders, hairdressers, mechanics, nurses, chefs, teachers, cybersecurity experts, AI prompt engineers, UX designers, renewable energy technicians, and public speakers.

“AI may be smart, but it’s not wise. It doesn’t have intuition. It doesn’t grasp nuance. It doesn’t carry a lifetime of context. It needs a human guide,” Bezuidenhout wrote.

The shift to AI is already taking effect in some major industries in South Africa.

In late April 2025, private hospital firm Mediclinic informed investors that it would halt all new recruitment and offer staff voluntary retirement packages as it moves to enhance its operational model.

The new operating model will leverage AI to strengthen the firm’s core business by focusing on operational efficiency.

Mediclinic’s chief operating officer, Bertrand Levrat, confirmed that the move will help the firm cut administrative costs.

“For SA-based corporate office people and shared services people, we have offered early retirement package. These will enable us to reduce the administrative costs of the group,” he said.

Doctors and nurses are safe

Mediclinic told stakeholders that the revised operating model could help it save nearly R2 billion by 2027. However, it noted that the hiring freeze doesn’t apply to nurses and doctors.

The company said its South African business was included in implementing its new operating model and formed part of Mediclinic’s broader strategy to leverage AI and automation.

It listed various examples of the successful adoption of AI and automation in the medical field:

• An AI appointment-scheduling model has helped improve operational efficiency through reduced standby time and resulted in an additional 100 bookings per day at Mediclinic Middle East.
• Implementing an AI agent to procure clinical documentation saves man-hours, resulting in cost savings in staff time.
• The automation of clinical coding through AI shows the potential for increased efficiency and accuracy in billing.
• AI agents deployed in revenue cycle management show the potential for cost savings in administrative processes.
• Mediclinic has started deploying AI models to read and interpret radiology, improving radiologists’ efficiency.

A team operating under Mediclinic’s chief data officer will be responsible for implementing the AI, data, and automation strategy.

Levrat later emphasised that Mediclinic doesn’t plan to replace full-time employees with AI.

“This transformation includes the realignment of our corporate office structures, reinforcing our ability to support our facilities in providing exceptional care to our patients,” he said.

“This evolution will strengthen our organisation and ensure we remain competitive, sustainable, and best positioned to meet the needs of our patients, clients, and stakeholders.”