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The Complete Guide to Jobs in Johannesburg
Johannesburg sits inland at an altitude of 1,753 meters, though it has no spectacular beaches or mountain ranges like other parts of the country, it does have its own special charm and beauty.
Also known as ‘Egoli’, Place of Gold in isiZulu, Johannesburg is the largest city in Gauteng Province and South Africa.
The nation's capital is known for its bustling business and nightlife and unrivalled cultural diversity.
It is well known that Gauteng is South Africa’s powerhouse, accounting for 34% of GDP, much more than any other province.
Johannesburg also has the largest man-made urban forest in the world with more than 10 million trees, creating beautiful green spaces for everyone to enjoy.
In this guide we are going to explore Johannesburg jobs and what living in this city is like.
What are the main industries in Johannesburg?
The main industries in South Africa, according to www.gov.za are “mining, transport, energy, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.”
The economy of Gauteng was originally built on the mining industry and most mining companies are still headquartered in Johannesburg.
“There are more than 180 Fortune Global 500 companies present in South Africa,” according to InvestSA. Other major South African companies and banks also have their head offices in Johannesburg:
- Standard Bank of South Africa: One of the largest banks in South Africa.
- FirstRand Limited: One of the largest financial services groups in Africa.
- Anglo American: A global mining company with operations in Africa.
- Sasol: An energy and chemical company.
- Vodacom: Cell phone provider.
- MTN Group: A telecommunications and cell phone company.
- Investec: A specialist bank and asset manager.
- EOH: A leading provider of technology solutions in Africa.
- Discovery Limited: A health insurer and financial services company.
- Alexander Forbes: An insurance and risk management company.
- Telkom: A telecommunications company.
- Bidvest Group: A services, trading and distribution company.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Africa’s largest Stock Exchange, is also located in Johannesburg.
The South African Start-up Ecosystem Report 2022 by Disrupt Africa shows that “at least 357 individual South African tech startups raised a combined US$993,684,600 in funding between January 2015 and May 2022”.
So, for people who love tech and have the idea of either starting a new business or working for a start-up and are excellent developers or software engineers, there are many opportunities to explore.
However, as Gauteng accounts for most of the country’s GDP, ones’ chances are probably substantially higher of finding work in Johannesburg compared to Cape Town.
Other industries and services are:
are all thriving industries in Johannesburg.
What Activities are there to do in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg is home to some of the largest and most exclusive shopping centres in the world and some of the larger ones are Fourways Mall, Sandton City, Eastgate, Westgate and Cresta.
Melrose Arch and Hyde Park are known to be quite exclusive however in Sandton there is a section called the Diamond Walk which also houses many of the top international brands. There is no shortage of shopping centres in this city and a few more of the well-known of ones are Rosebank, Monte Casino, Cresta and Clearwater Mall.
All these shopping malls offer restaurants, coffee shops, movie houses and a variety of shops to browse through, these are excellent places to spend a few hours relaxing and meeting up with friends.
If you enjoy the outdoors, there are many parks to visit in Johannesburg such as the Zoo Lake, The Wilds Nature Reserve, The Modderfontein Reserve, James & Ethel Gray Park to name just a few.
Some of the more popular destinations would be to drive to Magaliesburg, which is about 45-minute drive out of JHB for a selection of awesome trails and hikes.
The mountain areas of The Vredefort Dome, the largest verified impact structure on Earth, have wonderful hikes and which is also a wonderful historical site to visit.
There is also Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve and hidden gems like Cradle Moon and Kloofendal Nature Reserve.
There is also no shortage of golf courses in Johannesburg and as one drives through various neighbourhoods every 10 or 15 minutes you will probably drive past one. If you are a golf fan this is a great place to be.
There are many museums and heritage sights that are a must visit, such as:
- Apartheid Museum
- Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
- Nelson Mandela’s House
- Origins Centre, Wits University
- Hector Pieterson Memorial
- James Hall Museum of Transport
- Museum Africa
- Wits Life Science Museum
No one could ever stay in Johannesburg without a visit to some famous game reserves to view the big 5. Besides the Kruger National Park, one could also visit Pilanesberg National Park.
Some stunning nearby private game reserves include:
- Mabula Game Reserve
- Dinokeng Game Reserve which offers a variety of accommodation
- Welgevonden Game Reserve
- Plumari Private Reserve
- Mziki Private Reserve
- Mongena Private Game Lodge
- Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve
There are many tourism jobs for people who would like to work in nature reserves, in this exciting area of hospitality.
So, to sum up, Johannesburg is a city that has enough things to keep one busy and engaged.
Where are the Best Places to Live in Johannesburg?
👉 Sandton
👉 Bryanston
👉 Lonehill and Fourways
👉 Illovo, Rosebank and Parkhurst
👉 Randburg and Craighall
👉 Northcliff and Melville
👉 Linden, Parkhurst and Greenside
Johannesburg is not a small city so choosing the best place to live is important. The two biggest commercial centres are the inner city or original CBD which is still the hub for mining, some commerce and government institutions, however the new CBD has moved to upmarket Sandton.
Sandton
Sandton is in fact “Africa’s Richest Square Mile”. Most of the continents biggest business and banks will in fact have their head offices in Sandton.
Even in this most exclusive area property prices sell for anything from R12,000 per square meter all the way up to 50,000 per meter square depending on the type of the property, location and finishes. For people with professional jobs or scarce skills the ratio of house prices to salaries is the lowest in the world in Johannesburg.
Bryanston
Bryanston is close to Sandton and is cheaper than staying in Sandton City itself, and has plenty of freestanding homes and has a more suburban feel. Many of the huge houses on huge stands are also now being converted to cluster houses. This makes them more affordable, secure and convenient.
Lonehill and Fourways
These adjoining suburbs have many security estates which make the area quite popular. There are top class, shopping malls, entertainment, and healthcare facilities.
However, if you work in Sandton, which most people do you will be driving in the direction of the traffic in the morning and evening which will add much time onto your work commute.
Illovo, Rosebank and Parkhurst
These older and popular suburbs are some of the best to live in Johannesburg. There are several different property types in these areas to choose from, large houses and gardens, to large houses on relatively smaller properties in Parkhurst.
There are also a number of cluster houses and flats. Rosebank and Illovo are extremely close to the M1 which makes it very convenient to get onto one of the major highways. You also have Rosebank Mall, Melrose Arch and the popular restaurants in Park Towns 4th Avenue.
Randburg and Craighall
A much more affordable area than those above, Randburg has an assortment of retail, industrial commercial and various accommodations to suit all. Here you are close to Cresta Shopping Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Johannesburg, good schools, and hospitals.
The homes and gardens are good sizes, and you are also close to Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam. This is a good affordable place to locate a family as it is still relatively close to Sandton and Rosebank.
Northcliff and Melville
Two beautiful neighbourhoods, but once again moving further out from Sandton City Centre. Being a large city, most industries are close by. Northcliff has some winding roads with some stunning houses and views from a mountain top.
Melville has more of a down to earth student feel. Both places are close to the two large universities Witwatersrand University and University of Johannesburg.
Linden, Parkhurst and Greenside
As an older area, these areas offer well sized family homes in a beautiful green area. Parkhurst also is a hot spot with restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and some bakeries which offer a lively street of entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions for Getting a Job in Johannesburg
Frequently Asked Questions
👉 Are Johannesburg Salaries good compared to the rest of South Africa?
👉 What are the most in-demand job skills in Johannesburg?
👉 Is Johannesburg safe?
👉 What is the cost of living in Johannesburg?
👉 What is the climate in Johannesburg?
👉 How do I find a job in Johannesburg?
👉 Is Johannesburg a ‘cool city’?
👉 Where is Africa’s largest hospital?
👉 Which is the largest airport in Johannesburg?
👉 How Many Golf Courses are there in Johannesburg?
👉 What Percentage of the World’s Human Ancestor Fossils are in Johannesburg?
👉 What is the population of Johannesburg metro area?
👉 What Weekend Getaways are there to Enjoy around Johannesburg?
Are Johannesburg Salaries Good Compared to the Rest of South Africa?
According to the analysis that we have done on the Executive Placements database, salaries in Johannesburg are the highest in the country.
The exact difference is dependent upon the job and the industry that one works in.
What are the Most in-Demand Job Skills in Johannesburg?
- Restaurant & Hospitality
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Finance and Business
- Management professionals
- Sales
- Information Technology
- User Interface Designer
- Admin, Office & Support
- Graphic Designer
- Copywriter
Is Johannesburg Safe?
Johannesburg is known for a relatively high crime rate. Though there are some serious crimes, they are mostly centred around impoverished areas.
As within any city, safety can be maximised by taking basic precautions like hiring home security systems and services.
Be aware of unsafe areas and steer clear of those areas, specifically at night, keep your doors locked, windows closed and your valuables out of sight.
What is the Cost of Living in Johannesburg?
The cost of living in Johannesburg is, on average low and is also lower than in Cape Town.
Accommodation is relatively cheap, depending on which areas you choose.
Providing good value for money is exceptional dining out and entertainment Groceries and clothing also have great value for money.
What is the Climate in Johannesburg?
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter months are around June, and fortunately only last about 3 months. The days are sunny and warm, it is ideal to dress in layers as nights get quite cold, going down to a minimum of -3 degree centigrade.
Summers are lovely and warm with an average of 26 degree centigrade, though it can reach a temperature of 37 degrees on occasion.
Johannesburg is well known for its breath-taking electric summer storms.
How do I Find a Job in Johannesburg?
Using a job portal is one of the first ways to start a job search. Numerous employers, country wide, use job portals to find employees.
Also, Johannesburg has many first-class recruitment agents that search for candidates in Johannesburg, so we would recommend uploading a CV to the Executive Placements job portal.
There are several speciality recruitment agents also based in Johannesburg. If one has a specific set of skills that a recruitment agent focusses on, a call and introduction to the agency will also help.
Is Johannesburg a ‘Cool City’?
The Metropolis was voted the ‘coolest city’ in the Southern Hemisphere in 2015 by British GQ Magazine.
Where is Africa’s Largest Hospital?
The Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg is the largest hospital in Africa and the third largest in the entire world.
At peak capacity, it has 3,200 beds and more than 6,700 staff members. That means more than 150,000 inpatient cases and 500,000 outpatient cases come through its doors each year.
Which is the Largest Airport in Johannesburg?
Not only is OR Tambo International Airport the largest airport in Johannesburg but it is also the largest airport in Africa! The airport serves an estimated 28 million passengers every year, making it the busiest air hub on the continent.
It has six terminals, with dozens of retail stores and restaurants, and the Gautrain, a high-speed express commuter train that connects to central Johannesburg and Pretoria.
How Many Golf Courses are there in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg has a whopping 23 golf courses dotted throughout the city. You could get through them all in a year if you played almost 2 golf courses a month!
What Percentage of the World’s Human Ancestor Fossils have been found in Areas Close to Johannesburg?
Surrounding Johannesburg are world-renowned historical sites where 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils have been found.
What is the Population of Johannesburg’s Metro Area?
The metro area population of Johannesburg in 2023 was 6,198,000 million, a 2.19 increase from 2022.
What Weekend Getaways are there to Enjoy around Johannesburg?
There is so much to enjoy around Johannesburg for a weekend getaway, without having to drive for hours.
Magaliesburg area is set below the Witwatersrand and Magaliesburg mountain ranges. These beautiful mountains afford so many diverse activities like:
- Balloon Safari
- Canopy Tour
- Bothongo Wondercave and Sterkfontein Caves
- Hiking Trails
- Quad Biking and Go Karting
- 4x4 Trails
Parys is a quaint village Southwest of Johannesburg, nestled in Vredefort Dome, the largest verified impact structure on Earth. Known for its fishing, lodges and quiet atmosphere, the village is very popular for weekend visits.
- Antiques and collectibles
- Horse Trails
- Vaal de Grace Golf Course
- Parys Sky Diving
- River Rafting
- Berry Picking
- Abseiling
- Fishing
- 4x4 Trails
The Vaal Dam, south of Johannesburg has a surface area of 320km and is 47m deep. Along the banks and on the water are numerous forms of entertainment and activities.
- Emfuleni Golf Course
- Shooting Range
- Emerald Casino
- Skydiving
- Midvaal Lion Park
- Treetop Adventures
- Wellness Spas
- Fishing and Boating
- Blackwater Tubing
Hartbeespoort Dam is in the Northwest Province and lies in a valley south of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. Hartbeespoort is known for the dam and whitewater rapids on the Crocodile River.
- Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway
- Horse Riding
- Distilleries and Breweries
- Dam Cruises
- Elephant Interaction
- Archery
- Balloon Safaris
- Safaris
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