It’s always interesting to dive into the makeup of the public service workforce, and recent numbers shed light on a significant fact: 6,220 foreign nationals are currently working as public servants in South Africa.

This information was confirmed by the Department of Public Service and Administration, showing a diverse presence in provincial and national government positions.

Unpacking the Numbers

This figure was shared by Minister Mzamo Buthelezi in response to a parliamentary question from Dr. Kgosi Letlape of ActionSA.

Letlape had inquired about the number of foreign nationals employed in each department and institution across the public service.

The department clarified that these 6,220 individuals represent about 0.5% of the public service workforce, which is estimated to include around 12 million employees.

The numbers include both temporary workers, who are employed for specific time periods, and foreign nationals who have gained permanent residency.

The data used to provide this breakdown was drawn from the Personal and Salary System (Persal), which serves as the central database for public service payroll administration.

Where Are Most Foreign Nationals Working?

As expected, Gauteng, South Africa’s economic hub, has the highest number of foreign nationals employed as public servants.

Most of them can be found in key sectors such as health, education, and agriculture.

Here’s a quick look at the top five provinces and the sectors with the highest employment of foreign nationals:

Gauteng

Education: 826
Health: 839
Agriculture and Rural Development: 16
Infrastructure Development: 7
Roads and Transport: 5

Mpumalanga

Education: 465
Health: 175
Agriculture, Rural Development, Land Environment Affairs: 5

KwaZulu-Natal

Education: 271
Health: 345
Agriculture and Land Reform: 13

North West

Education: 221
Health: 367
Agriculture and Rural Development: 12

Eastern Cape

Education: 337
Health: 208
Rural Development and Agrarian Reform: 11

Unemployed Local Professionals Raise Concerns

The employment of foreign nationals in public service has not gone unnoticed by local professionals.

Earlier this year, unemployed doctors and teachers organized marches and sit-ins at provincial government offices, notably in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, protesting for job opportunities.

In March, the Weekend Argus reported that the national Department of Health had hired 200 of the 800 unemployed doctors within the country.

Health spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed that 270 doctors had been employed, adding that recruitment efforts for health professionals were ongoing, though he couldn’t provide specifics on their placement by province.

In April, unemployed doctors took their protest to the headquarters of the Department of Health in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, where they spent the night outside the building, demanding appointment letters.

What Comes Next?

With both foreign nationals and local professionals seeking public sector jobs, this dynamic is sure to remain a hot topic.

It raises questions about balancing opportunities for both groups and ensuring that critical sectors like health and education are adequately staffed.

The ongoing protests suggest that more attention will be needed to address the concerns of qualified local professionals looking for employment.

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