Back in the Freelance Saddle:

How the ICT Consulting Landscape has changed in South Africa

Three months ago, I stepped back into the world of freelance ICT consulting [read more – From Corporate to Freelance] — a space I last occupied full-time more than five years ago. Having spent the interim years in corporate CIO and CTO roles, I returned with fresh perspectives, deeper experience, and a strong sense of purpose. What I didn’t expect was just how much the consulting landscape in South Africa had shifted.

Here are some of the most striking differences I’ve noticed — and what they mean for businesses, consultants, and the ICT sector at large.

1. The Brain Drain Has Become a Skills Crisis

South Africa’s brain drain is no longer a slow bleed — it’s a deep wound. Over the past two decades, we’ve steadily lost high-calibre ICT talent to opportunities overseas, and the effects are now undeniable.

Clients I speak to — from scale-ups to large enterprises — are struggling to find skilled, experienced resources locally. Many are caught in a catch-22: they need digital transformation, cybersecurity, cloud migration and automation expertise — but they can’t find the people who can deliver it end-to-end, pragmatically and independently.

This shortage has created a huge gap that experienced freelancers are now filling. And fast.

2. A Junior Pipeline That Doesn’t Bridge the Gap

There’s no shortage of graduates entering the market — particularly from universities and the local offices of global consultancies. But while the volume is there, the experience isn’t.

Too often, junior consultants are being billed at premium rates with very little practical grounding. Many have been trained in frameworks, tools, and templates — but not in how to apply them in messy, real-world environments. Businesses are waking up to this and pushing back. They want depth, not just delivery decks.

The result? A growing demand for professionals who’ve actually led complex implementations, navigated change, managed risk, and delivered value — not just observed it from the sidelines.

3. Freelancers Are Now a Strategic Asset, Not a Stopgap

Here’s the most encouraging change: companies are far more open to hiring independent consultants today than they were five years ago. There’s a shift happening — from seeing freelancers as short-term stopgaps, to viewing us as strategic, high-impact partners. [read more – What Corporates can learn from the Gig Economy ]

Why? A few reasons:

It’s low-risk, high-reward. There’s no long-term employment commitment, no HR complexity — just delivery.
Employment law is becoming a burden. Companies want the flexibility to scale expertise up and down without legal entanglements.
They’re prepared to pay for outcomes. Premium rates are now acceptable — if they’re linked to impact.

Over the past two months alone, I’ve signed four new clients — a mix of project-based and retainer engagements — covering everything from ICT strategy and enterprise architecture to digital transformation leadership. Each one came looking for an experienced, independent mind to help navigate uncertainty, define direction, and get things done. No fluff, no politics, no baggage.

Final Thoughts

Returning to freelance consulting in 2025 feels very different from 2019. The context has changed — and so has the value proposition of being independent.

For those of us with hands-on experience, strategic insight, and the ability to deliver — it’s a golden time to operate as an independent. For companies navigating an increasingly complex ICT landscape, the message is clear: high-impact freelancers aren’t just a nice-to-have — they’re a competitive advantage.

If you’re a business looking for independent thinking with real-world delivery, let’s talk.

And if you’re a seasoned professional thinking about going solo — the water’s warm again.