Out of South Africa!!

It is amazing how a whirlwind business trip of 6 days can still feel like a great break!  

On the 8^th October, three of the Think Global Recruitment team, Alistair, Calum and myself, boarded an overnight flight to Johannesburg, just a little excited about the people we were about to meet and a wee treat my PA Lara had organised for us on the last day.  We were so right to have been.

After a 1 hour flight Edinburgh to London and 11 hour flight London to Johannesburg, with Virgin Atlantic, we arrived!  On arriving in Johannesburg airport we were met by a driver who whisked us off the Radisson Blu hotel in Sandton, the business district of Johannesburg. The hotel we stayed at was great for business, clean, modern with WiFi throughout.  They also had suites, which with a partition, can double up as a bedroom and meeting room. Of course, we also liked the pool by reception that you could sneak to for a coffee or bite to eat between appointments. 

We met with a few accountants on the day of arrival (Thursday), including two that we had assisted who had just received job offers to move to the UK.  It was great to be able to meet them in person after phone and Skype conversations leading up to then. 

Early evening and we headed across to Nelson Mandela Square to The Butcher Shop restaurant.   Wow! Wow! Wow!    All three of us had 2 courses, bread and a sausage dip, the best steak we had ever eaten, an amazing bottle of wine and some beers and it came to less than £50.   The atmosphere and service were also great.

The next morning, Alistair headed back to the airport and took a British Airways flight to Cape Town, I took one to Durban, leaving Calum in Johannesburg to meet with accountants seeking an international move over the next three days. Again, I was met at the airport again by a driver and this time driven to the The Beverly Hills Hotel.   Now this hotel is fantastic!   The people that work there would bend over backwards to look after you.  From check in to check out.    I was allocated a suite that had two balconies looking out to sea, a large lounge, lovely bathroom and walk in wardrobe.  I could see, although having a pretty busy schedule, I was at least going to be doing it in fabulous surroundings. 

After one meeting on the Friday afternoon, I was lucky enough to have two good friends join me for dinner.   Lesley and Mark, whom I know from Sydney and now live in Vietnam, were visiting Lesley’s parents in Durban and then getting married in Cape Town.  What great timing!  We visited the very famous Light House Bar at the Oyster Box next to the Beverly Hills to catch up.   Lovely to see them.

The next two morning’s, I had a walk on the beach, brief workout in the gym and then lovely early breakfast on the veranda overlooking the pool and out to sea.  I then headed back to my room for a full day of meeting South African trained Chartered Accountants seeking an international move.    The meetings were great.  Everyone showed up, most early and all were keen and eager to venture out there.  Everyone had a variety of different destinations on their minds, but the one thing they had in common was a genuine desire to gain international experience, both to Improve their Lives and their Careers.   After 18 years of assisting accountants to secure a new position overseas, I still enjoy every meeting of this nature.  

On Monday morning, after meeting with around 60 Chartered Accountants, the three of us reconvened back in Johannesburg – for our treat prior to boarding our international flight!   A visit to the LionPark!   Wow again!  We had a fantastic time seeing Lions and Leopards and so many wildcats up close.  Stroking a Giraffe and a pack of Lion Cubs… Yes I said ‘Stroking a pack of lion cubs’!   The best way to end our trip and spend an afternoon before a long haul flight.

South Africa – we will be back!

Abigail Stevens

International Recruitment Expert

Managing Director of Think Global Recruitment