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South Africans take London call centres by storm!

Since my arrival in the UK, I have observed a growing trend for South Africans to find work in Call Centres. Despite the low wages, and haphazard  working hours, we still flock in the hundreds to these seemingly stress-free jobs.

When South Africans first started working in the UK, many moons ago, they opted mainly for bar work, as it seemed most viable for the Working-Holiday visa, and there was the flexibility of being able to travel from pub to pub throughout the country. Of late, call centres have become a more appealing option, due to their flexibility for holidays and youthful and vibrant environment. The average age of employees within call centre age ranges from about 17 – 25 and

the work ethic tends to be very laidback. I decided to delve deeper into the popular trade, and recently interviewed Durbanite Meshall Sen about her average day in a call centre in Wimbledon.

What is it that is so appealing about call centre jobs that has resulted in you working at this particular one for almost 4 years now?

I ask myself this question many times a day, and would have to say first and foremost after having travelled 5000 miles to another country, I found my fellow country men right in the office I worked at.

So it’s not just British nationals? Are there many South Africans?

Yes! We pretty much run the place! There are  lots and lots of other South Africans, Australians and Kiwis working in my call centre, making it feel almost like a big, friendly, playground. 


Most of us come over here to find our own way and experience a new culture, isn’t it odd how we always tend to find our fellow countrymen and stick to them like glue?

Having other South Africans around me made it easier, and sharing our experiences made us wiser. London is  a really lonely city when you first get here, and having support from people who know how you operate is great!

How do you find the work within a call centre?

The call centre gave me and other travellers the support we deserved, and made us feel welcome. Not to mention offering us job security.  I found I could earn a decent wage, pay my bills and still go out with my friends comfortably - Isn’t that what travelling is all about? 

So would I be correct in saying they have offered you job growth too?

Definitely. I was given the training needed to get started, and found the job exciting, yet challenging.  We were always given ongoing support by our managers, which made the tasks pretty easy. 

What has been your greatest achievement at your call centre?

My greatest achievements have been earning bonuses, over and above my targets and having the ability to travel this diverse country. Not forgetting the wonderful friendships that have come along the way. I only thought it would be a temporary job to pay bills, and now after 4 years, I have grown dramatically within myself and have found a fabulous new career path