Jobs in Nelspruit / Mbombela

• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Industrial
• Retail
• Finance
• Tourism

Agriculture

The city serves as a major agricultural processing centre with a particular focus on the macadamia industry.  Additionally, the area boasts an abundance of citrus farms and a thriving business in canning and juicing. This is due to the region's fertile soils and subtropical climate, which provide ideal conditions for growing various fruits such as mangoes, bananas and avocados.

The region has a thriving sugar industry. TSB, the manufacturer of Selati sugar, can be found just a few kilometres east of the city, where the low-lying areas are filled with sugarcane farms.

Forestry

SAPPI greatly influences this area, operating a paper mill in Ngodwana and recently upgrading it to produce cellulose fibres for multiple uses in the construction industry, for filtration and road building industries.  KISHUGU, headquartered in the city, is also a significant player in this industry, and there are various timber-related businesses in the region including lumber yards, sawmills, and furniture manufacturers.

Industrial

Within the city, the Manganese Metal Company (MMC) and Delta EMD comprise one of the world's largest manganese processing facilities. In addition, a variety of medium industries exist to bolster the agriculture and forestry sectors.

Retail

Mbombela benefits from a thriving retail sector that is heavily influenced by tourists from neighbouring Mozambique and Eswatini. Notable shopping destinations include the Riverside and Ilanga malls, with recent additions such as the Crossing Shopping Centre and City Centre.

Finance

Mbombela is the finance capital of the whole of Mpumalanga, with its abundance of major industries of tourism, agriculture and forestry.

Tourism

Tourism is one of the greatest contributors to Mbombela.  Nearby are many game reserves, government and private, the largest, obviously being Kruger Park National Park. The Blyde River Canyon bring people from far and wide.

• Education Jobs in Nelspruit
• Logistics Jobs in Nelspruit
• Agriculture Jobs in Nelspruit
• Aviation Jobs in Nelspruit
• Tourism Jobs in Nelspruit
• Media Jobs in Nelspruit
• Broadcasting Jobs in Nelspruit
• Finance Jobs in Nelspruit
• Retail Jobs in Nelspruit
• Manufacturing Jobs in Nelspruit
• Agriculture Jobs in Nelspruit
• Forestry Jobs in Nelspruit

Education Jobs in Nelspruit

Nelspruit has over 79 schools in the city, suburbs and townships, more schools are being built in response to overcrowding in this growing area with many teaching jobs.

The city hosts the University of Mpumalanga. Established in 2014, it had over 4,300 students as of 2020. Tshwane University of Technology has a satellite campus in the city with over 1,500 students.

Logistics Jobs in Nelspruit

Nelspruit, on the Maputo Corridor, is a major trade route linking South Africa to Maputo in Mozambique forming a transport route from major cities to Mozambique. The N4 toll route is the main arterial route with a double lane highway all the way to the rest of South Africa.

Xsun Transport, which has a revenue of R8.08M, is a good example of a flourishing logistics and supply chain company in Nelspruit along the major routes.  They have a “selection of both Tautliner and Flatdeck Superlinks, we can transport a wide variety of products from FMCG, paper and pulp products, dry bulk and much more.”

Agriculture Jobs in Nelspruit

Nelspruit is home to the Agricultural Research Council's Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops and the Lowveld National Botanical Garden.

Citrus Research International (CRI) has a major facility in the city. The Lowveld College of Agriculture, located near UMP, also conducts research in the field of botany.

Crops in the Nelspruit area include maize, wheat, sorghum, barley, sunflower seed, soybeans, macadamias, groundnuts, sugar cane, vegetables, coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, citrus, subtropical and deciduous fruit.

A healthy industry within agriculture, create jobs in Nelspruit.

Aviation Jobs in Nelspruit

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, located about 27 km northeast of the city, began operations in October 2002. Scheduled flights operate to locations within South Africa and abroad (to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique). The R 360,000,000 complex has a 3.1 km (10,170.6 ft) runway which can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 747. The airport currently handles about 250,000 passengers per annum.

Nelspruit Airport, located about 9 km from the city, is the city's original airport owned and operated by the municipality. It primarily handles general aviation aircraft, and several aircraft maintenance, firefighting, charter and training companies are based at the airport creating a variety of aviation jobs in Nelspruit.

Tourism Jobs in Nelspruit

The city is a major stopover point for tourists travelling to Kruger National Park, Mozambique and the Blyde River Canyon. The city is the nearest major South African city to Mozambique's capital, Maputo, and as such the city receives significant tourism from Mozambican locals.

Other tourism attractions nearby include Sudwala Caves, and God's Window and Mac Mac Pools in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, a stunning area which provides a panoramic views over the famous Drakensberg Escarpment.

Located next to the stunning 27,000 hectare Barberton Nature Reserve, 20 minutes from Nelspruit, is the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa Chimpanzee Sanctuary which serves as a safe haven for displaced African chimps.

The city is also home to the popular National Botanical Gardens, set in 165 hectares of land along the eastern bank of the Crocodile River and containing around 500 species of plant species indigenous to the area.

The city contains several entertainment venues, the most prominent being the Emotweni Casino complex. The city has a civic centre with a large theatre, which can be hired by both amateurs and professionals.

Mbombela has its own version of concert in the park with annual performances by musicians in the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens.

Media Jobs in Nelspruit

Finding jobs in communication, journalism and media are available as there are media institutions like, Lowveld Media, a major printer and publisher of newsprint materials in the region. Major newspapers include the Lowvelder, Mpumalanga News and Nelspruit Post. African Eye News Service (AENS) is an award-winning independent grassroots news agency based in Nelspruit.

Broadcasting Jobs in Nelspruit

The SABC has a regional office in the city. Jacaranda FM operates a studio near the Emnotweni Casino.

Ligwalagwala FM is the largest SABC-owned radio station in the city and the Mpumalanga Province. It is a public broadcaster which primarily broadcasts in the Swazi language.

RISE FM, originally named MPower which is an independent commercial radio station, broadcasting in English from studios in the city and up to eMalahleni in the province of Mpumalanga, and the Afrikaans local community radio station Radio Laeveld 100.5 FM broadcasts to the Lowveld area from the city.

Finance Jobs in Nelspruit

The city is the financial and banking capital of Mpumalanga province with all the traditional South African banks, and added are independent financial institutions like Atlas Finance, GDF Finance and Mpumalanga Finance Corporation, helping companies and farmers in the area in investment and financial decisions.

Retail Jobs in Nelspruit

The city has a strong consumer based retail industry boosted significantly by neighbouring Mozambican and Gauteng tourists. There are various major shopping centres, notably the Riverside and Ilanga malls. Recent developments include the Crossing Shopping Centre and the Grove Shopping Centre, each providing numerous varied shops which provide retail jobs in Nelspruit.

Manufacturing Jobs in Nelspruit

The city is home to the Manganese Metal Company, is the world’s only non-China based producer of high grade electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) (an important industrial metal, which is diffusely used in stainless steel, nonferrous alloys, electronics and specialty chemicals) and the world’s largest producer of 99.9% (selenium free) EMM.

There are several medium industries which support the agriculture and forestry sectors. There is also a thriving construction industry which, despite the 2008 recession, has kept growing and creating manufacturing jobs in Nelspruit.

Agriculture Jobs in Nelspruit

The city is a key agricultural processing hub for north eastern part of South Africa. The macadamia industry is centred within the city, with an annual production for the 2017/18 production year of 26,400 tons NIS (nut-in shell at 1.5% kernel moisture content).

Golden Macadamias has become the single largest processor of Macadamia nuts in the world. Along with other agricultural macadamia institutions, creating jobs agriculture jobs in Nelspruit.

There are many citrus farms and the canning and juicing of citrus fruit and other produce is a large business for the area. Fertile soils and the subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the growing of citrus and tropical fruits, mainly mango, banana, avocado and pawpaw.

Sugar is also big business in the region. TSB, the producer of Selati sugar, is located a few kilometres east of the city. The low-lying area in the region is dotted with sugarcane farms. Established in 1965, TSB Sugar a wholly owned subsidiary of Remgro (Pty) Ltd, holds a significant position as one of South Africa’s top sugar manufacturers and providers. They play a crucial role in producing over 30% of the country's sugar supply.

Forestry Jobs in Nelspruit

The economy is heavily reliant on the forestry sector. SAPPI has a paper mill west of the city which was recently upgraded to produce cellulose fibres for various applications. The region has several timber-related industries such as lumber and sawmills as well as furniture, crate and carton manufacturing businesses.

Several cultural and agricultural shows are hosted annually, including:

• Innibos Laeveld Nasionale Kunstefees
• Wegbreekfees
• Lowveld Air Show
• The Mpumalanga Show
• The Lowveld Agri Show
• The Nelspruit Motor Show
• The Colour Run
• Lowveld Botanical Gardens
• Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary
• Sudwala Dinosaur Park

Here a just a few, there are numerous day trips in and around Nelspruit. Tour guides offer a multitude of exciting tours to the game reserves and stunning scenery in the area.

• Blyde River Canyon
• Kruger National Park
• Sudwala Caves
• Lowveld Botanical Gardens
• Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden
• Emnotweni Casino
• Sudwala Dinosaur Park
• Gods Window
• Mac Mac Falls

Mbombela is a popular national and international destination for tourists, which keeps providing jobs in tourism.

The city features a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers. Summers are hot and somewhat humid complete with high precipitation. Winters in the city are dry, with relatively warm temperatures during the day and chilly temperatures at night.

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Drum Rock

Set within the mountains with stunning views and wildlife, this suburb is becoming increasingly popular. A bit of the way out of Nelspruit but close enough to travel for work. It is also close to Riverside Mall and Kiaat Private Hospital. Boschrand Primary School an excellent school as is Penryn College. Within Drum Rock is Ridge Hill Estate, a popular address with spacious stands and settled in a secure environment.

Stonehenge

A unique estate where there are plenty of large properties to create your own place to live. Close by is Tshwane University of Technology Mbombela campus, Mediclinic and schools. West Rock Villas and Sunset Villas are top notch estates in this peaceful location.

West Acres

A large family friendly suburb, close to the city centre. Being an older suburb, there are many amenities available.  Among them I’langa Mall and schools like Laerskool Laeveld, Lowveld High School and Hoerskool Bergvlam.

Nelspruit Central

An appealing area for students, young couples and working professionals, with the many amenities in the city centre, shopping, restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere.

Sonheuwel

A popular older suburb, the suburb is close to Westend Shopping Centre, Curro Scholl and Mediclinic. There is easy access to main roads and the city centre.

Steiltes

Steiltes is one of the newer suburbs, so you are closer to the outdoors. Hiking and birding are common in nearby Steiltes Nature Reserve.  The Lowveld Country Club is a popular place to visit with a great golf course.

Nelspruit Ext 11

This extension is also close to the Lowveld Country Club, a quiet suburb with large stands and beautiful gardens. Though well secluded, it is still close to major routes such as R40 and N4.

Nelspruit Ext 5

This is an upmarket suburb, a tasteful area for family friendly homes with large gardens and great security.

How can I get a job in Nelspruit?

There are many job opportunities available for locals and foreigners in the beautiful area of Nelspruit. Many companies value diversity and actively seek national and international talent to contribute to their workforce.

Are Nelspruit Salaries Good Compared to the Rest of the Country?

Salaries are lower compared to the rest of the cities in South Africa like Johannesburg and Cape Town, though the cost of living is much lower and the quality of life is much higher.  For example, rent prices in Nelspruit are 11% lower than in Johannesburg, though restaurant and food prices and not much lower, only 2.1% lower.

Rent prices are 44% lower than in Cape Town and restaurant prices are also not much lower at 3.6% lower, according to Numbeo.

What are the most in-demand skills in Nelspruit?

According to Businesstech, Senior Management and Middle / Department Management were the two fastest-growing jobs over the past 12 months.

Senior Management: +28%

Middle/Department Management: +21%

Industries that are popular in Nelspruit are tourism, hospitality, healthcare and IT.

Does Nelspruit have an airport?

There are 2 airports.  The original smaller one is now used for hobby pilots and smaller aircrafts.  The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, 30 minutes drive from Mbombela/Nelspruit is now central to further locations around Nelspruit, offering international flights to nearby countries.

Is there Malaria in Nelspruit?

According to Wits University there is malaria in the far north KZN bordering Mozambique, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and some parts of the Kruger National Park but excludes Nelspruit.

Is it Very Hot in Nelspruit?

Being Subtropical, there are mild winter and hot summers which are humid due to the summer rains.  Winters are therefore dry, yet still warm with slightly chilly evenings.

The highest temperatures have been recorded at 40 degrees C and the lowest at -1 degrees. Though happily those are extreme temperatures, the average ranges from 30 degrees to 17 degrees.

Is Nelspruit Friendly?

Nelspruit is known for their warm and friendly people.  Being a small community before it started expanding, the people are still the same and are compassionate, considerable and helpful people.

Healings Wings is a constant in helping the needy locally and nation wide.  Uber Eats is a recipient of friendliness when they Nelspruit takes the top spot for using ‘please and thank you’ in recognition of fellow human beings.