DNA EOR: Taking South African talent to the world without taking South Africans out of South Africa
South Africa has long exported talent to the rest of the world. DNA EOR is helping create a different version of that story: the skills travel, but the South African stays home.
Founded by Anton van Heerden, DNA EOR enables overseas companies to employ South Africans without first having to establish their own company in the country.
DNA EOR acts as the local legal employer, managing employment contracts, payroll, tax and labour compliance, while the international company manages the employee’s day-to-day work.
More than 500 South Africans are already employed by DNA on behalf of foreign businesses, giving them the opportunity to gain international experience while continuing to live, spend, pay tax and build their lives in South Africa.
For Anton, the business represents the latest chapter in a career that has revolved around people, payroll and technology.
Despite spending much of his career in technology, Anton believes strongly that technology should enable human relationships rather than replace them.
His lesson for other business owners is to automate what should be automated while protecting the trust, judgement and personal connection that make customers and employees want to stay.
Business growth specialist Pavlo Phitidis believes this raises an important question for every business adopting AI and automation: don't simply ask whether something can be automated. Ask what will become better as a result and what human value must remain.
Anton's ask to South Africans working for overseas companies
DNA EOR's opportunity is particularly relevant to South Africans who already work remotely for international companies as independent contractors.
Some are genuinely independent contractors. Others may work predominantly for one overseas company, follow its working hours and operate much like employees while carrying the tax and employment risks themselves.
Anton is encouraging these South Africans to understand exactly what their current arrangement means.
His message is simple: start a conversation.
Speak to your overseas employer and investigate whether your current agreement properly protects both parties. In some circumstances, an Employer of Record arrangement could provide local employment protection and formal payroll and tax administration while giving the overseas employer greater certainty.
To learn more or start that conversation, visit DNA EOR.
For Anton, the ambition is bigger than building one company. It's about creating a route through which more South Africans can participate in the global economy without believing that international opportunities must come with a one-way ticket out of the country.
The person can stay. The skill can travel. And the opportunity can be global.
This Future50 feature was presented by Pavlo Phitidis from Aurik and powered by FNB Business.
For more stories of Future50 businesses, or to nominate your business, head here.
