New wave of Saffer emigrants to UK – driven by opportunity, not so much by fear

For almost two decades, Breytenbachs has been the go-to firm for South Africans emigrating to the UK. Yesterday I spent a couple hours with its senior partner, quizzing him about relocation trends. The result was a fascinating interview published on Biznews.

JP Breytenbach's insights confirmed the power of economic laws. Whereas fear was the key driver of previous relocation waves, he says, this time his clients are drawn by opportunity.

Tightening of the UK's emigration laws has blocked the working-holiday and crime-affected "gotta get outta here now" migrants. Those now relocating are skilled, high income earners attracted by the mighty pound (mighty relative to rands, that is).

Similarly, many South African companies are sending staff to set up representative offices in London to arbitrage goods and services produced in cheap rands to be sold abroad in hard currencies. The economic consequence of events like Nenegate change lives in ways we never believed possible. Sometimes even for the better.