Why finding good software developers is harder than ever—and What companies are doing about it
The tech talent shortage in South Africa has reached an inflection point. As international companies increasingly poach local software developers with attractive remote work packages, local businesses are struggling to maintain their development momentum.
The result? Delayed projects, missed opportunities, and a growing gap between ambition and execution.
“We’re seeing companies spend months trying to fill critical developer positions, only to have candidates accept overseas offers at the last minute,” says Arno Venter, Co-Founder at Runninghill Software Development, a leading software development company that’s been solving this challenge for South Africa’s biggest enterprises since 2013. “The traditional hiring model simply isn’t working anymore.”
Click here to learn more about Runninghill’s team augmentation services.
With multinational companies offering local talent attractive and lucrative contracts, it’s now even more difficult to secure and retain good South African software developers. But, how did we get here? And why has securing top software development talent become such a challenge.
1. The Global Talent Grab
“South African developers are increasingly in demand worldwide,” explains Marcel Van Wyk, Runninghill’s Co-Founder. “With remote work being a viable option, our local talent pool is being tapped by companies from Europe, the US, and beyond, often offering packages that local businesses struggle to match.”
The impact is felt across every sector. From banking giants to insurance providers, companies watch their development timelines stretch as positions remain unfilled or developers leave for international opportunities.
Leading South African companies like Zapper, Standard Bank and Old Mutual Insure have found success by partnering with Runninghill’s specialised software development teams that can integrate immediately into existing projects, bypassing the lengthy recruitment process entirely.
2. The Hidden Costs of Traditional Hiring
The real expense of hiring software developers goes far beyond salaries. There’s the recruitment process, which can take months. Then onboarding and training time, during which projects remain stalled. Also, HR functions like probation, settling disputes and performance management are costly and resource intensive. And after all that investment, there’s no guarantee the developer will stay or deliver the expected quality.
Runninghill team augmentation offers immediate access to pre-vetted, experienced software developers who can start contributing from day one. This approach eliminates recruitment costs and reduces the risks associated with permanent hiring.
3. The Skills Gap Challenge
Modern software development requires expertise across multiple platforms and technologies. Finding developers who can handle everything from mobile apps to cloud migration is increasingly difficult.
“We’ve seen companies struggle for months to fill positions,” notes Arno Venter. “But in today’s market, companies can not afford this, because it causes project delays, or short staffed teams to chase unrealistic deadlines.
Runninghill maintains a team of full-stack software developers who stay current with the latest technologies through continuous training and real-world project experience. Their work on projects like zero-downtime legacy to cloud migrations, real-time JSE integrations, mobile banking apps, quoting & sales web dashboards, Whatsapp & ChatGPT integrations demonstrates the value of accessing a deep pool of specialised expertise.
Taking Control of Your Development
As a BBBEE Level 2 company, Runninghill has emerged as a trusted partner for businesses looking to maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly digital South African market. Their team augmentation service offers:
- Immediate access to skilled software developers
- Flexibility to scale teams based on project demands
- No recruitment or permanent hiring overhead
- Proven enterprise experience
- Quality assurance and ongoing support
For companies feeling the pressure of the talent shortage, this approach offers a pragmatic solution that goes beyond traditional hiring models.
“The market has changed,” concludes Arno Venter. “Success isn’t about winning the recruitment battle anymore—it’s about finding smarter ways to access the expertise you need, when you need it.”
Interested in learning how team augmentation could work for your company? Contact Runninghill for a consultation that will help you understand the possibilities for your specific situation.
Click here to contact Runninghill Software Development.
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