Fifty years deep, the 1970-founded Unique Personnel is one of South Africa’s most established recruitment agencies. That’s most likely why they have a base of about 4,000 job seekers, a win if you’re scouting for a diverse talent pool.

We couldn’t overlook their industry coverage either. They’ve placed folks in finance, logistics, offices, and more.

Plus, they stick to ethical recruitment, proven by their compliance with South African labour legislation, primarily the LRA and BCEA.

The biggest hiccup is more on the communication side. Based on interviews, this agency isn’t the fastest in terms of answering calls or emails.

Some applicants have also complained about the slow hiring process, with a few mentioning they’ve been waiting for an interview for more than a year.

On the upside, employers don’t have to worry about dwindling applicant numbers, as Unique Personnel, as of 2025, still attracts around 1,500 global job-seekers a month.

Does Care about Their Candidates

Excellent and efficient in their service. Helen has been kind and wonderful to me, taking time to check in and working tirelessly to market my profile to colleagues and clients. Unique personnel does care about their candidates and clients alike. The best you can get in the business, worth working with them.

Nancy Apolos, Google Review

Proactive and Supportive

I highly recommend Unique. Peter has been fantastic to work with, professional, efficient, and genuinely invested in helping me find the right opportunities. It is rare to come across someone in recruitment who is this proactive and supportive.

Vincent Davis, Google Review

Local reach is one of Kontak Recruitment’s major upsides. As an employer, you’re looking at a talent pool made up of applicants from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape.

Their rep concerning promptness isn’t shabby either. Some applicants we chatted with even talked about getting interviews within a day or two after they submitted deets, meaning you get quick access to filtered talent.

The nice thing is you can also call them for temporary staff or fixed-term contracts. That’s sweet if you need urgent fill-ins.

However, some clients aren’t too happy about the unfriendly service they received from this agency’s phone reps.

A built-in search tool for things like experience and academic qualifications would also be a welcome upgrade. Most entries here have that feature.

The silver lining is Kontak’s coverage, which spans 10-plus industries, and their decades of experience, having opened in 2009.

Super Great

Working with Shannen has been super great, her warmth, kindness and enthusiasm felt like I’ve always known her. Shannen’s communication skills & work ethics are on another level. I’ve loved every experience, her assurance & integrity. I would definitely recommend her without any.

Selina Matjekana, Google Review

Excellent Recruiter

Angie Leroux is an excellent recruiter and has the best interest of her canidates in mind. She is sound in her understanding in her role and would definitely recommend her to all potential candidates either looking for a Job or having the opportunity to be called by her.

Darren Jones, Google Review

Manna is a dependable choice if your company leans toward logistics, warehousing, and transport. After all, that has been their speciality since 1995.

For us, though, the agency’s best quality is being a ‘one-stop’ partner. Compliance support, dispute handling, and industrial relations are part of their key services, not just providing pre-vetted candidates.

We also gave them high grades for having a massive talent pool. As of July 2025, their driver database alone has climbed to 10,000-plus.

The catch, of course, is Manna’s relatively limited coverage. As mentioned, logistics and other blue-collar roles are their stronghold.

Another minor snag is the fully digital approach. It’s great for efficiency and convenience, but it might be too impersonal if you prefer face-to-face collaboration.

If that’s not a deal-breaker for you, you might like their reps, who have received praise for being understanding and prompt.

Most importantly, they have big names as clients, such as Aspen and Intercape.

Appreciate Your Service

I really appreciate your service 👌👌👌, I’m looking forward to be placed in one of the companies you work with. Keep helping others and treat them with dignity as you did to others🙏🙏

Ratanang Buti Lephalala, Google Review

Sharp and Easy

Your online application is sharp and easy I completed your process within 30 minutes it’s not time consuming I thought I’m goner drop my CV on the box and leave which is not promising…but now I’m part of your system my information will forever be with u as I have created my account and your workers are friendly and funny to work with …please guys when the time is right remember me an experienced truck driver

Isaac Mawila, Google Review

Michael Page, under the PageGroup banner, holds the largest applicant pool on this list. In fact, the agency’s private database has about 1.8 million names.

The good news is that the data is filtered. For instance, their Johannesburg team is divided based on industry or discipline, so most clients only talk to consultants who recruit within their niche.

As opposed to the previous entry, though, this one is white-collar-centric. They generally cater to sectors like finance, HR, engineering, legal, and tech.

In addition, you typically have to file a request before getting a callback. That’s not exactly convenient.

Can’t complain about their ‘no commission’ setup, though. Unlike most agencies, Michael Page’s consultants earn a fixed annual salary, eliminating rushed placements or overselling.

They’re not a new name either. PageGroup opened in 1976 in London before going full global in the 1980s.

The cherry on top is their ISO 27001.

The Process Was Well-Explained

I received very professional service from Amelia Jacobs. Always friendly and factual during our conversations. From December to January we communicated on a weekly basis until I was appointed, at times on a daily basis. It took a month between the first interview and last interview. The process was well explained. If I had to compare to other agencies Michael Page is by far the best!

Lebogang Koitsioe, Google Review

High Level of Integrity

I have had an amazing experience with Michael Page, so much so that I was placed in 3 great jobs with them. My agent Mabatho has always shown a high level of integrity and sincerity when it came to placing me in a new job, always having my best interest at heart. Michael Page has definitely built a culture where anyone looking for a new job or career change can feel safe and always practicing confidentiality. I most definitely will and have recommended Michael Page to family and friends.

Shaunees Davids, Google Review

When it comes to industry reach, Red Line is up there. This agency, established in 2005, covers blue- and white-collar roles across 10-plus industries, including niches like kitchen design.

They even fill permanent, temporary, freelance, and contract roles. That gives employers flexibility.

Our concern, however, is that they’re not a massive corporate agency that has over 100 consultants. If you’re after sheer scale, most of the previous names are better equipped.

The bright side? Red Line’s approach is naturally more personalised. For example, the owner, Bonny, provides hands-on coaching and vetting services, cutting down the chances of mismatch hiring.

Lots of applicants also liked that they weren’t shuffled around, with most saying they only dealt with one or two consultants, generally Michelle and Matthew.

Unfortunately, Red Line’s love for in-person interviews hasn’t won everyone over, particularly candidates with limited transport means. Offering more online meetings would work in their favour.

Supportive, Professional

I’m incredibly grateful to Redline Recruitment for securing such an exciting new role for me! From the first interaction to final placement, their team was supportive, professional, and truly invested in understanding both my skills and career goals. The communication was seamless and transparent, and I always felt confident knowing they had my best interests at heart. Thank you for matching me with the perfect opportunity—I couldn’t be happier!

Kgaugelo Mmali Serote, Google Review

Professional, Kind, and Dedicated

Redline Recruitment has guided me every step of the way in securing my dream job, from giving helpful tips for my interviews to getting a job offer. They are prompt in their responses, professional, kind and dedicated.

I would like to give a special shout out to Lebo, she is a star!

Shenielle Lotz, Google Review