Harris is widely celebrated as one of South Africa’s great entrepreneurs, behind some of the country’s most successful businesses.
These include Rand Consolidated Investments, Rand Merchant Bank, and FirstRand. He also helped to establish the Ingwelala, Mabula, Welgevonden, and Thorny Bush game reserves.
Harris shared his thoughts about South Africa and emigration during an interview with The Relocated South African podcast, hosted by Jan Hugo.
This interview took place amidst serious challenges in South Africa, which prompted many people to consider leaving the country and moving overseas.
The United Nations’ International Migrant Stock report showed a steady outflow of skilled South Africans over the last thirty years.
The UN’s data shows that in 1990, approximately 295,400 South Africans were living internationally. By 2000, it reached 495,000, and by 2010, it rose to 705,000.
In 2020, 900,000 South Africans lived abroad, and this number surpassed 1 million in 2024. This translates to an average of 74 people leaving every day between 2020 and 2024.
It has reached such concerning levels that the Allianz Risk Barometer for 2025 showed that the shortage of skilled workers has become one of South Africa’s biggest risks.
Despite South Africa’s challenges and the increasing popularity of emigration, Harris advised people to think carefully before making such a decision.
He is well-positioned to discuss this topic as he previously left South Africa but decided to return and make it his home.
“I emigrated. Whatever way you look at it, it takes five years out of your life. Before you go, it is all you think and talk about,” he said.
“When you arrive in the new country, it is a struggle to find where you should live, who you are going to make friends with, and what home you can buy.”
People who emigrate typically maintain strong connections with those at home, and they continue to visit South Africa on holidays.
He advised people to avoid obsessing about emigrating and instead make the most of their lives in South Africa. However, that does not mean working overseas is not advised.
“Going out and getting a more worldly view is important and fantastic. Your people who want to work overseas, go for it,” he said.
“However, if you are leaving South Africa for good because you do not think there is a future here, you should think again.”
South Africa is a great country with excellent opportunities
Harris said that despite the country’s serious problems, it is one of the greatest countries to live in, offering immense opportunities.
He highlighted that South Africa faced numerous challenges in the past, including the Boer War, World Wars, Apartheid, and the transition to democracy.
Despite all these difficult times, the country survived. He added that South Africa faced much bigger challenges in the past than it does now.
He argued that South Africans are resourceful and aspirational and have solved many of the challenges associated with living in South Africa.
This includes private security to protect against crime, private education, and private healthcare to bypass poor state hospitals.
He admitted that these options are not available to all South Africans and that you need to be wealthy to benefit from them.
However, if you are in this position, the country offers excellent opportunities and gives you the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives.
He gave the example of his daughter, who runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps young children learn to read.
“She helps 220,000 kids to read. Her network includes 20,000 computers in schools across South Africa, and employs 800 people,” he said.
He said experiencing the excitement of the kids in the townships working on the computers leaves everyone with a tear in their eyes.
“South Africa offers you the opportunity to contribute. It is off a very low base, which means a small thing can make a difference,” he said.
“There is nothing that can replace that for me. An environment where you can make a huge difference.”
He said many South Africans sit around and complain about the country and its problems. “Forget about that. Get on with it and go and do something,” he said.
“I am not saying for one moment that there are not massive frustrations. However, that is part of the path to achieve something.”