South African women warned about viral Russian job videos

The South African government has issued a warning to young women regarding social media recruitment campaigns promoting job opportunities abroad, particularly in Russia. This alert follows the emergence of viral videos by influencers, including Cyan Boujee, who advertised a two-year “start programme” aimed at women starting their careers. The influencer’s promotional content has since been removed, and she had described opportunities intended for women aged 18 to 22, which include learning the Russian language and acquiring professional skills.

Reports indicate that some recruits might end up working in a weapons factory in Tatarstan, contributing to the production of drones used in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A significant recruiter for this programme is a special economic zone linked to these activities. A recent report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime highlighted concerns over misleading job descriptions and false pretenses regarding the nature of the work and educational opportunities.

Public diplomacy official Clayson Monyela expressed concern over the growing trend of influencers endorsing foreign job offers, urging young individuals, particularly women, to seek verification before accepting such opportunities. Monyela cautioned that offers that appear too good to be true should be met with skepticism.