Returning with the Revolution

South Africa's time has come and the Homecoming Revolution will be in London in March 2010 bringing information about careers, property and business in South Africa.

"The 2010 FIFA World Cup is South Africa's next defining moment. All eyes will be on us as we host the first ever World Cup on African soil," says Martine Schaffer, Managing Director of Homecoming Revolution. "2010 is a powerful creator of opportunity for all and must be used as a springboard to our future."

"The world economic downturn provides an opportunity to alleviate the effects of the so-called 'brain-drain' by attracting the Diaspora back home to reconstruct the continent' said President Zuma at the World Economic Forum in 2009.

With much debate around the shortage of skills in all areas of the economy and the recognition that skills create jobs in the economy, this is South Africa's time to become more aggressive in their approach to attract South Africans home.

The Homecoming Revolution, the non-profit organisation that encourages and facilitates South Africans to return, is hosting their 4th event in London in March. The event is now well established as a platform through which South African companies can recruit much needed skills, as well as attendees having a one-stop shop where all their questions are answered with regards to returning.

South African companies are lagging behind in trying to attract talent back into the country. They have recognized that they need to be more globalised in how they approach the skills issue and certainly in trying to ensure that they are bringing real skills back into the economy.

The South African economy has only recently come out of a recession, and there is still some hesitancy around employment. However, says Schaffer, the companies attending the event realize that this is an opportunity to attract much needed skills, as well as to start to develop the pipeline of talent.

"We have to be aggressive if we want further success. We have seen a definite increase in skills returning from the UK over the past year for a variety of reasons. We have positioned ourselves as the leader in connecting the skills and the talent."

The event will be held on the 20th and 21st March 2010 at Kensington Olympia in London. The event is aimed at South Africans living in the UK and will give them the opportunity to meet directly with high profile employers who are searching for talent. It will also give them a chance to find about purchasing property, schooling and post graduate education, starting up businesses, setting up bank accounts, and immigration advice.

Some of the companies that will be exhibiting for skills at the event include: First National Bank, Group 5, Edcon, Foschini Group, Nedbank Capital, Investec, CSIR and South African Breweries.

They represent a broad cross section of skills across a variety of industry and should offer professionals a good variety. Recruitment agencies will also be attending. The Independent Schools Association of South Africa will be offering advice on schooling in South Africa and both Gordon Institute of Business and University of Stellenbosch Business School will be showcasing their post-graduate studies, including MBA advice.

Seeff Properties, for example, have a large platform for their South African properties and support businesses exhibiting include 1st Contact, Dept of Home Affairs and White & Co. Removals.

"A line-up of top South African speakers has always been integral to our event," says Schaffer, "and the keynote speaker for this year's event is Professor Cheryl de La Rey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Pretoria."

The event will also address other topics including 'Career Opportunities' and 'Where is South Africa on the World Stage?'. Delegates can also attend a practical workshop on Starting a Business in South Africa.

There is also fun to be had at the event, says Schaffer. "The SA Tourism team will be on hand to promote South Africa in the run up to the World Cup and will be teaching attendees to Diski Dance!"