Students nearing the end of their courses are faced with questions of what to do next. Should you stay close to home and try to find work? Or should you move elsewhere for better opportunities?
For many people the solution lies in Gauteng. Home to the two largest cities in South Africa, Johannesburg and Pretoria, Gauteng is considered to be the economic hub. There are opportunities for jobs here in industries which don’t exist in other provinces, making it an ideal choice for young job seekers.
Salaries
The most important reason many move to Gauteng are the higher salaries. Workers based there earn between 20 percent to 30 percent more than their counterparts in Western Cape or KwaZulu-Natal.
Career Junction reviewed actual salary offerings and found vast disparities in fields including engineering, finance, administration, office and support, warehousing and logistics as well as manufacturing and assembly.
“All salaries provided in the report are average salaries, however, once you start looking at regional disparities, it becomes clear that professionals in Gauteng are higher earners than those in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal,” said Career Junction’s Paul Byrne.
Social
An important factor for young people is always going to be the chance to socialise in the evening and on weekends. Gauteng is the perfect place to do so. Anecdotal evidence suggests the province’s residents are far friendlier than Capetonians, always happy to make new friends and show new people around.
People in Gauteng don’t have the mountain and beach to rely on for their entertainment, so become a little more creative, enjoying markets, parks, sporting activities and restaurants in their spare time.
Safety
A concern many people have when considering a move to Gauteng is safety. But it was recently reported crime in the Johannesburg city centre has decreased by 80%. This is attributed to the cameras which were installed on every street. The reality is crime is everywhere. That’s great news for you if you’re looking for security jobs in Gauteng. Otherwise, it is up to you to ensure you are as safe as you can possibly be by taking the necessary precautions.
The South African Police Service recommends you be crime conscious by being aware of crime opportunities at all times. Some tips include:
*Don’t walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers.
*Walk in busy, well-lit streets and in a group.
*Ensure you home is secured and become a member of an armed response service.
*Let people know where you’re going and how long you expect to be.
*Know emergency numbers.
*Trust your instincts.
*Avoid congested areas where you can’t walk properly – this is where criminals pick pockets.
*Don’t display valuables where criminals could see them.