Real People, with 1 300 employees, says it is making significant progress in reversing the trend of young East Londoners leaving the city to larger pastures, and simultaneously attracting IT talent to the group's coastal, high-tech setting from other cities and abroad.
With a strong focus on financial services coupled with ICT, Real People is now the second largest private sector employer in East London.
"East London's economic future lies largely in the hands of its youth," says Johan van Rooyen, managing director of financial services company, Real People.
"One of the biggest challenges facing the city is the migration of young people to larger centres in search of better employment. We have already made significant progress in reversing that trend.
Of the 1 300 staffers Real People employs nationwide, 900 are based in East London.
"We believe that we are offering more than jobs to our employees. Real People has become a way of life for so many. We find it truly rewarding to know that we can and do make a difference in the lives of those we employ and their estimated 4 500 dependents. We would certainly like to encourage those young matriculants who are considering their future, not to overlook the employment opportunities closer to home with all the advantages that it entails.
The company has committed itself to sourcing local skills and expertise wherever possible. As part of its work-based training programme, SETA learnerships are pursued vigorously. Says Elize Nel, Real People's head of Human Resources: "We only import skills when we are unable to source the skill required locally."
Five years after establishing itself in East London, Real People has become the city's second largest private employer in East London.
Now South Africa's' largest non-banking provider of financial services and products in South Africa, Real People's commitment to the region is evidenced in it upgrading and rejuvenation of the Quigney on East London's beach front. To date, more than four office blocks have been acquired and extensively renovated to accommodate its staff.
Numerous additional projects are in the pipeline.
Added van Rooyen: "While it has always been the vision of the directors of Real People to build a national company, we are also great believers in supporting our region, as much as in our investment in property and people, to build the local economy of Buffalo City."
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