Hi!

I've been living in the US for a couple of years (though European) and I would love to exit for at least a few years to South Africa. I'm a lawyer by training (and have several years of non law project management work) but would love to move into more operations management work, preferably related to supply chains.

I know that lawyers are not considered critical skills but project managers are there. Is it possible to get certified off the basis of a mix of experience (some law/some not law?) Or do I just have to try to get the work visa with a job offer?

Any other advice would be amazing!

Thanks!

My first question would be: why? But I guess that's none of my business.

The critical skills list usually needs either a degree or substantive experience in the field of which you're applying. I've not been through it myself, but having read the notes on the government home affairs website, there will be at least rudimentary checks to see if you're suitably skilled / qualified.

As mentioned before, it's a real chicken and egg. You can't get a job without a visa, and won't get a visa without a job. Your best bet is to marry a South African, find an employer with an office in SA who will want to transfer you, or be connected to someone who works in SA who is in desperate need of your specific skills. None of those paths are particularly easy. But with 40-odd % unemployment and no real desire to invest, the government aren't going to make it simple.

Good luck.

Seriously why would you want to come to SA. I am in the process of trying to get out. I am fed up with the constant crime (5 break ins in 6 weeks) Load shedding almost every day, receiving mail an average of once a month if at all. Paying rates and taxes and getting very little in return. I would stay as far away as possible unless its for a holiday

I would like to ask why too? Things had been fairly quiet around my circle of loved ones and friends over there and now I am hearing of three different families who have been severely affected by home invasions. One couple is still in hospital in pretty bad shape. Every time I hear this, a little bit of me dies as well. Really loved that country and thankful for my time there but glad I left when I did. My sister lives in Natal and they are having fun and games with the load shedding too.

I admire anyone willing to make such a bold move. Without meaning to pour doubt on anyone's first-hand experience, I for one suspect the dangers could be exaggerated.

I had lots of warnings about spending time in a less than affluent area of Cape Town for a five week break about 3 years ago. I had no problem. I saw some acts of violence & threatening behaviour but it was not directed at me & alcohol was involved. It was easy to avoid trouble & trouble was pretty uncommon. The city itself felt very safe, even at night.

The white folk warned me not to use the trains & not to use my phone or my mp3 player on the trains. I realised after a few days of travelling on the trains that no-one was interested in me or my phone or my mp3 player or my camera unless they wanted a friendly chat! They were all far more interested in their own phones & mp3 players!

I was warned not to attend the Cape Town New Years Day Parade because it would be full of drunken dangerous coloureds. I had the most amazing day out with my gf walking the crowded streets & mixing with the kindest, coolest people. No drunks, no problems at all. A visit to a Xmas brai full of whites ended early after I was insulted for being English. Not something I can help lol I walked about half mile down the road in the dark before a black guy pulled over & gave me a ride back to my lodge. How he laughed when he heard how I came to be walking home!

So yeah you be careful, keep your wits about you wherever you go in SA. Try not to flash your valuables unless you are very confident but why not try living there if you can? Go for it!