12 Reasons to Come Back to South Africa
Going on holiday is a true luxury, especially overseas holidays, which I have been fortunate enough to experience a number of times. The culture, the food, the people, the landscapes, the activities – everything is captivating and unique. It is an experience for the senses and the soul and this is what I absolutely revel in. However, holidays as with all good things, must come to an end and arriving home after a long trip is one of life’s small pleasures, well for me anyway! Suddenly I start to appreciate so many things; aaaah my own bed and comfy pillows, my pets, the food I love, the friends we socialise with, the language I can speak and understand and most definitely the 5 Roses Tea that I’ve craved for the past 2 weeks! No matter how “ubercool” my holiday was, I always find myself reflecting on the fact that there is no place like home.
I guess that makes me think of the saying, “home is where the heart is”, it’s that place you have grown to love, where all the familiar things that you know and appreciate are, it’s a place you understand and relate to, it’s the place you feel happiest!
With so many South Africans living and working overseas, I thought I would list a couple of things that I adore about South Africa, a real list of reasons t entice anyone to purchase a one-way ticket home!
So herewith a list of my top reasons for returning to Sunny South Africa:
- Zoo biscuits, biltong and braais. Need I say more?
- Obviously the Five Roses Tea…!!
- South Africa hasn’t earned the name Sunny South Africa for nothing, we have incredible weather. Enjoy a FREEZING 17 degrees on an average winters day in Durban. Brrrr.
- Experience a world of activities in South Africa. Have you ever been white water rafting on the Umkomaas, hiking in the berg, wine tasting in Stellenbosch, on Safari in Limpopo, Hot Air ballooning in Gauteng, Surfing in Durban or partied in Cape Town? If you haven’t done any of these things then we suggest you get the next plane back to Sunny land so that we can save you from a life of “boringness”!
- Yislaaaik, kiff bru, agh shame man, now now, eish…All the lingo you love and can understand! (Check out more slang in our slangtionary.)
- Let’s take a look at value for money in terms of purchasing a house, shall we. In South Africa you could buy a spacious 3 bed roomed house with a lawn, swimming pool and in close proximity to schools for approximately R2 million (perhaps even less). But in Australia, the UK or the States, you’ll be lucky if you come close to finding anything for the same value for money.
- For all the sporty South Africans out there or for those just wanting to burn off the effects of the Heathrow injection, you can Run, Paddle, Swim and Mountain Bike the biggest sporting races in South Africa: The Comrades, Dusi Canoe Marathon, Midmar Mile, Cape Epic and Cape Argus.
- Earn money, yes, earn m-o-n-e-y. Opportunities are abound for start-ups, skilled artisans as well as professionals. Help reverse the brain drain and come back to SA!
- Without trying to sound dramatic, this is a place where you can really give back and make a difference to the life of so many people, whether it be starting your own business, getting involved with community projects or supporting local initiatives.
- Fit in with the South African family – you have 11 official languages to choose from (plus various unofficial ones) and numerous cultures to experience. Viva South Africa.
- There is always an enthusiastic car guard to direct you into and out of every parking bay – This has personally saved me from a few expensive prangs!
- South Africa is dynamic; it has an infectious energy and passion about it that is difficult to understand unless you have lived here. When friends go to other countries (the countries South Africans often emigrate to) for a “look -see”, I’ll often hear them say, “it was great, really pretty, lots to do but it lacks something and I can’t quite put my finger on it.” And that is what I call the indescribable “buzz”, that is present in Africa’s air, it just can’t be reproduced anywhere else but Africa!
So what on earth are you waiting for? Book your ticket home now:
[...] want for our children, we need to keep in mind that there is much more to a child’s life than riding his bike in complete safety, especially if he has to give up his friends, family, opportunities, sport and lifestyle for this [...]
[...] I came accross this article on the internet and my first reaction was: Yes! Come back home! After reading the whole story though, I must admit that I actually feel very sorry for the families that made New Zealand or Australia their new home and are now being kicked out – they probably feel quite lost at the moment - although they’re not allowed to stay, it doesn’t neccessarily mean that they are keen to come back. That’s where we come in, we’ll remind you of all the good things you’re coming back to! [...]
My dear darling Saffa,
I love what you say and it is all true but the reality is we also
like Australia as it provides safety, good government education,lovely walks and rides, no armed response, almost no hijacking, armed robbery,no electric fences, paying through our eyeballs for insurance, no BBBEEE, freedom to go when I want I jump in my car and do not think twice about who is standing outside my wall coming to ambush me or worse kill me. Government help for families and old people. The social safety net helps everybody which = less crime than SA, much less crime. Old ladies drive their buggy wheelchairs to the shops, I kid you not. Sound like paradise, well almost but not totally but it comes close.
Australia is not perfect and yes there are drug problems here but no worse than anything I saw in SA, Naughty kids yes again but at least they do not join up with gangs to come and kill you. Normally a case of uncaring parents. Youngsters in V8 Holdens well I must say some of them do not impress me but I guess they are teenagers. My son has learnt to live again and not worry intensely about locking doors. he has become more loving, outgoing, responsive to teachers and sport and enjoys school. They are taught to work as a team and be part of the community. All about feel good. I switched from a private school in SA to a public school in Aus/ Am I regretting it? Not the slightest regret.
Ok now the big question, will I go back to SA, I honestly hope so one day when I can walk outside in the street after a rainstorm and go for a picknick anywhere or go camping without being in an electric fenced camp. When I can remove my whole electric fence and armed reponse. When SA gets rid of BBBEEE and corruption improves, when government departments work, you see I am looking ahead when my son gets his id or goes for his drivers license I do not want him to come across all this incompetency and if he would like to learn a trade he can as there is a training centre in his town. South Africa I love you with all my heart and you have all I desire but please come to the party and I will be back. Until then…
Hi Corinna
Thank you for you heartfelt letter. What you say is quite true, however there is an intangible feeling about living in Africa. Africa is still a wild place, there is still a sense of adventure. I am sure there will be problems for long time to come but we all hope they will became less and less. We all hope that the serious problems (crime) are at their worst and things will only get better. There is a sense of energy here that cant be measured in terms of government benefits or low insurance premiums. It really depends on the individuals outlook, to some, safety and security is their priority in life and to others living life as an adventure is a priority. It must be nice to picnic anywhere just so long as you obey the multitude of rule signs! Bored teenagers overwhelmed with rules in “civilized ” societies like Australia often rebel and turn to drugs, the drug statistics are scary, probably as scary as our crime statistics! I suppose people choose which problems they would rather deal with. I suppose the old saying of risk and reward holds true……….We here, also all look forward to the day we can switch off our electric fences. But in the mean time we just try and put the problems aside and enjoy living on the most vibrant continent on earth!
Wow have you got it wrong.
The one family for which the red tape creates the problem is not the norm.
We live in Australia , in South Australia. Many South Africans are coming here because the state will sponsor migration and you than need fewer points to get in. Of the upwards of 50 families we are aware of moving here personally we are only aware of one that had to return. They did not comply with their visa requirements and in fact the local school community was upset that the government decided that they had to leave. However they basically just ignored the requirements and did everything they were not allowed to do.
Stay Phut – For some people its not an option. I tried the BBEE even helped develop a company with a few like minded people. It did not work. That isnt to say staying isnt an option but in reality you are always being faced by a society divided by race. The assumption is always that black people cannot be racists well racists are in every nation every colour every creed. The rainbow nation seemed a great idea but in reality the divisions are just the same. The country is still divided.
I have 4 daughters and as such have made a new life for us here in OZ.
I miss my family and friends and have even grieved for what I lost when I left RSA but today I embrace what I have here. The community values the fact that teachers still see their jobs as a calling. That race very seldom is an issue. That people will help each other.
This country (Australia) has given us a new beginning and as such I am thankful for that chance with all my heart.
I am now through the hoop and look forward to my life here.
Hi Joe, thanks for visiting Phuthu.co.za and making a comment.
There will always be people leaving this beautiful country and we’ve come to realise that whatever decision is made, people will always justify their own decisions. You have left SA and made a new life in Oz, you believe in your decision and thats great – we’re happy that you are happy. We believe in our decision in staying here and we’re happy too. And as you yourself said, “racists are in every nation every colour every creed”. It stands to reason then that racists even exist in Australia together with other established democracies. The fact is that there is no Lala Land – we all just need to find a place where we feel “at home”. For you it may be Australia, for us its Africa..