- High cost of healthcare causes dissatisfaction among expats
- Finding friends is easy, language barrier not a problem
- Kenya & Nigeria: High job satisfaction despite poor economy and long work weeks
- South Africa stands out for availability of childcare and education
Room for Improvement in the Quality of Life Index
The key African expat destinations are all listed in the bottom ten of the Quality of Life Index: South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria rank 52nd, 59th, and 67th out of 67 countries, respectively. However, the reasons for these low ratings are very different among the three countries.
For instance, the survey respondents in Kenya and South Africa are overwhelmingly happy with the climate, with 89% of expats saying they are satisfied. On the other hand, only 48% of Nigeria expats state the same; a likely reason would be the alternation between monsoonal and very dry climate as the only two seasons in the country.
Furthermore, while expats in Kenya are only slightly less happy than the global average when it comes to available leisure activities in general (66% vs. 72%), the other countries differ widely. In fact, in Nigeria only 2% of expats are very satisfied with local leisure options, compared to 54% in South Africa!
Satisfaction with healthcare is also very different among expats in these African destinations: in Nigeria not a single respondent is very satisfied with the quality of healthcare, and in Kenya only 6% express complete satisfaction. The only country performing better than the worldwide average (23%) is South Africa, with 32% of expats very satisfied and 77% who are generally happy with this factor (vs. 62% globally).
However, despite the below-average quality, medical care for expats still comes at a cost: fewer expats in these destinations are satisfied with the affordability of healthcare than the global average of 55%, with only 9% being overall satisfied in Nigeria, and 40% saying the same about Kenya. South Africa does best in this subcategory, too (50%), but it does not quite reach the global average of 55%.
Political instability and personal safety are a significant problem in these countries, and this is indeed a major reason why they do not perform well in the Quality of Life Index. In fact, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are all ranked in the bottom 5 out of 67 in the Safety & Security subcategory.
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Africa’s Expat Destinations: Friendly, but Not Always Safe
Room for Improvement in the Quality of Life Index
The key African expat destinations are all listed in the bottom ten of the Quality of Life Index: South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria rank 52nd, 59th, and 67th out of 67 countries, respectively. However, the reasons for these low ratings are very different among the three countries.
For instance, the survey respondents in Kenya and South Africa are overwhelmingly happy with the climate, with 89% of expats saying they are satisfied. On the other hand, only 48% of Nigeria expats state the same; a likely reason would be the alternation between monsoonal and very dry climate as the only two seasons in the country.
Furthermore, while expats in Kenya are only slightly less happy than the global average when it comes to available leisure activities in general (66% vs. 72%), the other countries differ widely. In fact, in Nigeria only 2% of expats are very satisfied with local leisure options, compared to 54% in South Africa!
Satisfaction with healthcare is also very different among expats in these African destinations: in Nigeria not a single respondent is very satisfied with the quality of healthcare, and in Kenya only 6% express complete satisfaction. The only country performing better than the worldwide average (23%) is South Africa, with 32% of expats very satisfied and 77% who are generally happy with this factor (vs. 62% globally).
However, despite the below-average quality, medical care for expats still comes at a cost: fewer expats in these destinations are satisfied with the affordability of healthcare than the global average of 55%, with only 9% being overall satisfied in Nigeria, and 40% saying the same about Kenya. South Africa does best in this subcategory, too (50%), but it does not quite reach the global average of 55%.
Political instability and personal safety are a significant problem in these countries, and this is indeed a major reason why they do not perform well in the Quality of Life Index. In fact, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are all ranked in the bottom 5 out of 67 in the Safety & Security subcategory.
Source
eHome Affairs opens online service to all South Africans
Cape Town – Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has confirmed that the eHomeAffairs portal service has now been extended to accommodate citizens, 16 years and above, who want to apply online for the new Smart ID Card and Passports.
With eHomeAffairs, you can download and fill the e-application form, make an electronic payment and book an appointment to complete the application process at your nearest participating bank, assured of peace of mind and personalised service.
The system was launched four months ago to citizens between 30 and 35 years old and as of Wednesday 24 August 2016, a total of 35 751 applications have been submitted through the system, of which 50% has been finalised to date, Gigaba says.
“Online applications are making a huge difference in the time spent in queues. In April, in the first month following the launch, we were at four thousand and eighty eight (4 088) online applications.
The system is now open to all citizens who bank with the four participating banks: ABSA, First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank. Currently 12 branches of these banks are connected to the system in Gauteng, with 1 branch in Cape Town (Canal Walk Standard Bank), Gigaba confirmed.
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‘SA UNDERMINING THE VALUE OF HOME AFFAIRS’
JOHANNESBURG – Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says South Africa has failed to exploit the department’s full potential by undermining the value of its services for decades.
Gigaba has participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Black Business Council in Johannesburg, where issues of immigration regulation and youth employment were discussed.
He says Home Affairs is only starting to solidify its role as a gatekeeper and a means of ensuring national security.
Gigaba says neglect of the Home Affairs Department has resulted in the adoption of a negative view.
“The officials of the department themselves have a low opinion of themselves and therefore it impacts on their level of professionalism or lack thereof.”
But he says the department plays a role far more important than many realise.
“The identity document cards we issue enable South Africans to enter into economical and financial transactions of all sorts.”
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SA GOVT COULD OFFER VISA WAIVER FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES
CAPE TOWN – Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has encouraged foreign students in South Africa to consider working in the country to boost the country’s skills development.
Gigaba addressed the International Students Conference hosted by University of Cape Town in Newlands yesterday.
He told the gathering more than 20,000 African health professionals who studied on the continent are either working in Europe or in North America.
Gigaba says the government wants to change this and his department will issue a visa waiver for international graduates with critical skills.
He says those who wish to work in the country will qualify for a long-term work visa.
Gigaba says the South African government is trying to retain African graduates on the continent.
The minister’s also encouraged young South Africans to consider studying at universities in other parts of the continent.
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