Tale guide

To go or not to go? That is the question.

I recently came across an article on SA Good News, by a well-known blogger Susan Hayden, entitled “Thinking about leaving; battling with the decision?”

(https://l.facebook.com/l.phpu=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sagoodnews.co.za)

As I’ve been through a similar experience, I drew comfort from the fact that there is at least one other person out there that shares my new-found feelings.

As Susan so eloquently described in her own way, one has to acknowledge that one man’s meat is another’s poison. There are countless reasons why people decide to pack up and go.

The lack of employment opportunity, a desire to give one’s children a first world education and the prevalence of violent crime all influence young and aspiring professionals who have the money or qualifications or both to secure themselves a second chance on foreign shores.

And we too, were intimidated by the never-ending tide of grand theft, blatant corruption, incompetence, and a lack of effective, accountable leadership on so many levels, not to mention the steady deterioration in national infrastructure, education, crime and service delivery all of which was and is constantly shoved down one’s throat by both the formal and informal media.

Once having made the decision to leave, the tendency to find justification for the same naturally becomes stronger and more convincing. The fact that you’ve spent a lifetime as a South African; that you are comfortable within an established network of friends and colleagues; and you are in fact emotionally totally immersed in the collective South African way of life, is virtually removed from your reflections as you excitedly prepare to embark on a new adventure.

I concede that in some cases, South African emigrants find themselves quickly settled into a welcoming and rewarding destination, but I would venture that these examples are few and far between. Adapting to a new world is difficult and takes a number of years to adjust.

Normally, we seek our fortunes in English speaking countries as at least the language shouldn’t present an insurmountable hurdle. Similarly South Africans with links to other nationalities often choose to head for countries where their mother tongue is prevalent.

In the UK, we were blown away by the incredible standard of service, efficiency and friendliness of an evidently first world country. Virtually everything is automated and web based. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your home to renew your vehicle license, connect to an energy supplier, register to vote or do your shopping. You don’t really need to run a motor vehicle because local and national and indeed international transport is all fully up and running, regular, spotless, inexpensive and reliable.

People are generally courteous in the shops and on the road. The needs of the population are sublimely delivered from the supply of energy and refuse management to the overwhelming amount of consumer choice.

Sure, it’s expensive and its cold and wet for much of the year but it all works! However, you very quickly realise that you are a stranger in town. You know nobody.

Probably influenced by the weather, the English build homes that keep the cold at bay and they spend a large part of their lives living in their warm and dry domestic bubbles.

Gone are your days of bring-and-braais and spontaneous neighbourhood gatherings. The people next door are fanatical football enthusiasts and rugby supporters are a distant minority. You can certainly stroll down to the corner pub and start up a conversation. But you will quickly realise that none of these strangers, as friendly as they often are, have any interest in your origins nor can relate to your fascinating experiences or achievements.

In the workplace you may find it difficult to relate to the lack of drive your colleagues seem to demonstrate. Your world renown South African work ethic, passion and drive can often become a square peg in a round hole. The culture is fundamentally different. You have no reputation, no network, no allies and no community. You need to start at the very beginning and brace yourself for a minimum of a three-year adjustment before the journey begins to steady.

I now also understand why Rhodesians abroad sought each other out in search for their former camaraderie often forged in war and they brushed off the friendly ‘when we’ ribbing that once abounded the streets of SA.

Many South Africans abroad also tend to seek their countrymen out and today they are able to enjoy the multitude of ‘South African’ shops from where biltong, boerie and Mrs Balls chutney amongst others are available on tap.

Finally, we rapidly realised that the political scene is as much fraught with discord as the one back home. The subject matter may be different, but the results are very much the same. Decisions are often incomprehensible and not thought through.

Labour goes on strike against working conditions and unacceptable pay increases. The National Health has never been in such a state of disarray as it is today with people being unable to see a doctor or receive special treatment without delays that can extend to over three years and more. (A classic example of what can happen to South Africa’s incomprehensible drive towards an NHI).

Politicians manifestly make dramatic U-turns on election promises. The cost of living continues to climb skywards, and peoples’ lives are placed in danger, so serious are some of the issues.

Having had the two year grounding on the other side of the fence, we returned to sunny South Africa to be greeted with a warm and friendly immigration officer’s smile long forgotten and a kind and helpful airport and hotel support staff.

On arrival back home, we find not much has changed. Our friends and colleagues are still there. They have found ways to circumvent the power and water supply interruptions.

They do pay a little more for good quality security protection but the presence thereof is something they became used to a good many years ago.

But the big difference is that this is a community you know and love and welcome you back with open arms. These are South Africans of every colour and creed that are not criminals or politicians, but ordinary G-d fearing people trying to find a way through life with the most success as possible and they almost all seek to help build a bigger and better South Africa.

These are the people that stood together recently at the Mbombela stadium and sang the anthem loud and clear together so that it rang out to world in a message of determination and togetherness that politicians are unable to replicate or dissuade.

We are going home to re-join the movement for a revived democratic South Africa and continue to try and make a contribution, however small, to rebuilding the country and its people we love.