The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has expressed growing concerns about the significant presence of foreign nationals working in key government sectors, particularly health and education.
The issue was raised during a portfolio committee meeting on February 19, 2025, where officials shared detailed information about the number of foreign employees within various government departments and the policies behind hiring decisions.
Decrease in Foreign Nationals Working in Government
The DPSA highlighted that the number of foreign nationals employed by the government has decreased slightly since 2024.
The current figure stands at 5,779, a drop from 6,220 recorded in September 2024.
Of these foreign workers, 62% are male, while 38% are female.
Additionally, more than 60% of these foreign nationals are between the ages of 44 and 59.
The breakdown of foreign employees by nationality is as follows:
- Zimbabweans: 2,172
- Congolese: 755
- Nigerians: 367
- Indians: 383
- Cubans: 265
Health and Education Sectors See the Highest Foreign Employment
Among all the government sectors, the health and education sectors employ the highest number of foreign nationals.
This has become a point of contention, particularly as many South Africans struggle to find employment in these fields.
The situation is particularly concerning in the medical sector, where qualified South African citizens have been protesting due to the lack of job opportunities, while foreign nationals occupy key roles.
Breakdown of Foreign Nationals in Health and Education by Province
The data from PERSAL, released in September 2024, provides a breakdown of foreign employees working in the health and education sectors across South Africa’s provinces.
Here are the numbers:
- Gauteng: 839 in health, 826 in education
- Mpumalanga: 175 in health, 465 in education
- KwaZulu-Natal: 345 in health, 271 in education
- North West: 367 in health, 221 in education
- Eastern Cape: 208 in health, 114 in education
- Northern Cape: 136 in health, 280 in education
- Western Cape: 199 in health, 126 in education
- Limpopo: 163 in health, 114 in education
- Free State: 161 in health, 53 in education
Public Opinion on Foreign Nationals in Government Jobs
The growing number of foreign nationals employed in South Africa’s public service has sparked public debate.
Many citizens are concerned about the availability of jobs for South Africans, particularly in the health and education sectors.
The government’s policy on foreign employment and its impact on local job opportunities remains a hot topic.