February 2018 – Ramaphosa endorses Homecoming Revolution

The Global Headhunting Firm for Africa

Congratulations to Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africa’s new President. We proudly remember when he endorsed our company in Parliament in 2015. Watch the video below.

Africa is now at the forefront of fintech with 57.6% of the world’s 174 million active registered mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read more below.

If you’re an Employer seeking globally experienced talent, please reach out to find out about our Placements, Candidate Catalogues and Bespoke Events. Get in touch.

And if you’re an employee in the market, don’t miss out on great career opportunities below. Make sure we’ve got your CV.

Onwards & Upwards

The Homecoming Revolution Team

The President said, “We applaud those who have started various initiatives. There are people who have started the Homecoming Revolution and are encouraging a number of people to come back home and utilize their skills here.” Watch the video here.

We’ve also enjoyed the support of the First Lady over the years. Here is a photograph of her at our 10-year event in 2013.

Kgomotso Matsunyane, Dr Tshepo Motsepe and Angel Jones

Angel Jones, CEO of Homecoming Revolution, says this is due to the significant shift in political and economic sentiment in the country since the start of 2018.

“South Africans who had been toying with the idea of returning but were reluctant to do so because of the economic downturn and destructive political situation, are now seriously considering making the move,” she says.

“Our inquiries have stemmed mainly from South African professionals in London and the US interested in opportunities back home. Many of the inquiries have also been from young families who want to return home and raise their children with family and friends close by,” she continues.

Angel says with a potential influx of skilled diaspora professionals, it is critical that there are enough jobs available to cater for them.

“The economy has to play catch-up in terms of recovering from the damage caused by the Zuma administration. While entrepreneurship is an important factor, we rely on the appetite of the private sector to create key roles for these highly skilled experts returning home.”

She says homecomers are highly sought-after due to their unique combination of global experience and local commitment.

Adeniyi Adeola has joined Roche Diabetes Care as Market Manager West Africa.

He says he is excited about his new position as it combines his passion for healthcare with his love of marketing.

“The opportunity presented itself for me to join Roche Diabetes Care and I grabbed it with both hands. For me healthcare is a passion, marketing is my natural habitat.”

Comments Susan Snell, Head of Roche Diabetes Care: Sub-Sahara Africa, “Adeniyi is a strong addition to our West African team. Finding and keeping talent is a crucial part of putting a company on a path to success. One month in, our West African team is already reaping the benefits of acquiring this talent.” Read more.

Ecobank’s assistant vice president for the push payments division Nshuti Lucy Mbabazi

Africa is now at the forefront of fintech with 57.6% of the world’s 174 million active registered mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to Ecobank.

Speaking at the Africa Tech summit which took place in Kigali on 14 & 15 February, Ecobank’s assistant vice president for the push payments division Nshuti Lucy Mbabazi said Fintech in Africa is predicted to grow from US$ 200 million to US$ 3 billion by 2020.

The summit explored major trends in the continent’s tech sector.

Speaking at the conference, Ecobank’s Head of Research, Edward George said every single business is being affected by impacted disruptive technology.

“If you come across anyone who says, well that’s not really relevant to me, you’re talking to a dinosaur,” he said.

Meanwhile,at the Dot Finance Summit held in Kigali on 21 & 22 February, industry leaders shared key insights and trends around the fintech space.

Panellists spoke about a new generation of customers used to instant value delivery and gratification which the fintech space now needs to match. Read more.

Rwandan Female – Country Lead Digital Banking in Fintech

South African EE Female – Group Communications Head in FMCG

Kenyan Male – Regional Lead – Food & Beverage

South African EE Male – Lead Finance Business Partner in Technology

Kenyan Male – Senior Consultant in Management Consulting, wants to return from Canada

South African Male – Digital Specialist in Advertising

Nigerian Male – Senior Investment Analyst in Investment Management

South African EE Female – HR & Technology Executive with expertise in diverse industries

Kenyan Male – Sales & Marketing Lead in Computer Manufacturing

South African EE Male – Senior IT Executive in the Technology space, wants to return from London

Ghanaian Male – Senior Business Analyst in Information Technology

South African Male – Advisory Director in Management Consulting, wants to return from Australia

Kenyan Male – IT Lead in Consumer Goods

Ugandan Female – Senior Systems Analyst in Information Technology

South African Female – VP Organisational Development in FMCG

Kenyan Female – Strategy & Planning Senior Manager in Consumer Goods, wants to return from London

South African Female – Senior Executive Manager in the Hospitality Space

Mozambican Male – Sales Executive in FMCG

Nigerian Male – Head of Equity Research in Financial Markets

According to the WEF, the Global Shapers Community is a network of young people driving dialogue, action and change. Read more.

Shamiso Kumbirai	Anita Okemini	Doreen Kessy	Fabrice Alomo	Grace Mugabekazi

“I wish I came home sooner”

Lynn Mackenzie returned to Cape Town at the end of last year after being away for almost 17 years to pursue a post graduate law degree at UCT. My time thus far has been magical, honestly! I haven’t been happier and not because everything is perfect in my life but because I’m truly blessed to be back home where I belong…Read more.

Kim van Wyk and her family have been back in South Africa for just over a year.  She looks back on her first year back home. “We are so happy! Now that’s not to say it has been easy. I was 20 weeks pregnant when we arrived, and we had not planned our little miracle nor the hospital bills that came with it. So financially, we have been quite tight. But saying that, we have also been truly blessed!” Read more.

“I returned after 22 years abroad”

It was about the time that Ike and his wife were expecting their second child that they started to contemplate a return to Nigeria. They saw the children of fellow expats growing up with a confused sense of identity and did not wish this for their family. Though his first attempt to return was cut short at the last moment by the financial crisis, Ike made it back to Nigeria…Read more.

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself”

Heldana Tekeste is an Ethiopian repat who returned home in 2016. She has been involved in many areas, including the issues of start-ups and some humanitarian work. My homecomer experience has thus far been interesting to say the least! It didn’t feel like that grand of a decision at the time because I grew up here and wasn’t a stranger to the country. But I came to realize that living in Ethiopia as a working professional is an entirely different experience from whatever I was used to, and I’m grateful for (almost) every moment. My experience can pretty much be summed up like this: trying to adjust/resettle in a place I’ve always considered “home” after being away for over ten years while also trying to not sound completely diaspora every time I speak Amarigna…Read more.