Semigration—the growing trend of relocating within a country for a better quality of life or improved economic opportunity—continues to influence where South Africans choose to live and work. However, a recent VOC News social media poll revealed divided public sentiment on the idea of relocating purely to cut costs.
On VOC’s WhatsApp channel, a decisive 72% of respondents said they would not consider moving to another province solely to save money. Sentiments on Instagram, however, was more evenly split: 48% said they would consider relocating to a more affordable province, 47% said no, and 5% indicated they had already done so.
These contrasting views highlight the complexity behind semigration decisions, which are often driven by more than just affordability.
Sibusiso Mbtoto, Advocacy Coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, said that while the lure of higher salaries in another province may seem appealing, the reality is often more nuanced.
“People might want to relocate to a different province for a better salary, but it comes with a juxtaposition, the costs attached to it, for example, rent, municipal bills, and so on, are often far higher. While they may earn more, their overall cost of living also increases,” Mbtoto explained.
He added that many households are adopting increasingly self-sufficient lifestyles to cope with the rising cost of living.
“People are going to extreme measures just to get by. Some have gone back to growing their own fruit and vegetables, becoming more self-sustained, much like families did in the ’80s and ’90s.”
Listen to the full interview with Mbtoto below:
When it comes to actual movement, data from Wise Move SA—a tech-based platform facilitating relocations—shows that Gauteng residents are leading the pack in moving to the Western Cape.
CEO Chante Venter confirmed a surge in interest from the country’s economic hub.
“In 2024, we saw a massive increase in people leaving Gauteng for the Western Cape. That shift correlated closely with the rise in job opportunities in the Western Cape,” Venter said.
However, she warned that while opportunities may exist, relocating without proper financial planning could backfire.
“It’s something every person needs to seriously consider. What are you leaving behind, and what are you taking up? If you’re leaving a job in Gauteng with a specific salary, you must ensure that your new salary in the Western Cape compensates for the higher cost of living. That plays a big factor.”
Listen to the full interview with Venter below:
VOC News
Photo: Pexels
