Tale guide

South Africa is a jewel!

Can South Africa be resurrected - June 2024 

Our national election has raised the prospect of recovery from 30 years of devasting mismanagement and corruption. Ignoring the side shows spurned by misguided socialists and the handful of fanatics who seek only to reap whatever material gains they can lay their hands on, South Africa has found a growing number of serious and clear-thinking leaders who are intent on building a country for all its people. And we appear to have uncovered a majority of citizens who have decided there is a better way forward.

So, if you desire to return home and enjoy all of those very South African benefits you have missed wherever you

have spent the past few years or more, I think now is the time!

The only ‘But’ is you have to have the means to support yourself either by way of savings or pension or otherwise the necessary skills to secure sound employment or establish an enterprise of your own.

Setting aside the politics and the money, South Africa remains one of the most exciting countries in the world; full of opportunity and full of ‘can do’ people who are not scared to get stuck in to help sort out the challenges.

One of the first things that you will notice when you land back on our sunny soil is the warmth and friendliness of the people. From the immigration officers to the carpark attendants, a great many generations have had the benefit of education over the past 30 years and for the most part, are very capable and efficient. A recent international survey found South Africa to be the most friendly country in the world!

Access to the medical profession at any level is virtually a phone call away and while we complain about the cost of doctors, specialists and medicines, private patients pay a fraction of the equivalent in Europe, Australia or the USA.

Of course we moan about the cost of living, (who doesn’t), but I can assure you that the Rand buys much, much more in South Africa than its equivalent in foreign lands and what’s more if you bring your dollars back with you, your purchase power will grow by at least eighteen times overnight.

Make no mistake, we are very aware of the huge percentage of the population that remain unemployed or live on or below the bread line. This reality is the product of poor governance and lack of commitment to the people by the leaders over the past three decades. While those of us that have been blessed with the ability to live a reasonably good life, there are a great many that reach out and help those less fortunate than us either individually or by participation in group endeavours.

South Africans understand that the future of our country lies primarily in

ensuring that all of the people are uplifted, educated and employed and so

citizens and companies alike continue to contribute towards that goal and

draw comfort from knowing that we are practically supporting the capacity

of government to do the same.

South Africans make a plan! We have an unacceptable crime rate particularly

in the major cities. So, we hire armed response companies to provide that

extra bit of protection. The security companies are committed to promoting

safety in their areas, so the local police and the security companies

cooperate and together they double or more, the crime management capacity.

In some areas the supply of water infrastructure is suspect and hasn’t been maintained for years. Forget about the reasons for this. We all know why but we feel it adds no value to harp on about the inadequacies of service delivery organisations. We rather install a spare water tank and filtration system for those days when the supply breaks down. We also install solar panels and spare storage so that when the lights go out in town, we can carry on, without interruption – whether at home, or at work.

In the work place, where we can afford it, we will employ that extra person. We will also look for go-getters with a passion to expand their horizons, and bring them on board to mentor, train and grow.

Aside from doing something practical within our means to help the country, we really enjoy the sunshine, the amazing views and the spectacles of the many wonders of our world in one country.

I’m sitting here on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal writing this post. I am looking out across the Indian ocean in a daytime temperature of 25 degrees centigrade watching a huge school of sardines swimming northbound as they have done for a million years at this time of year. They are being followed by a pod of dolphins and two well fed massive whales slowly fluking their way through the clouds of sardines swirling their way through the water.

This evening, we are going to a fish braai next door where I’m sure we’ll discuss the advent of a coalition government between the ANC, IFP and DA and how that partnership is likely to shape the future. We will also most certainly chat about our amazing Springboks, men and women teams and their challenges over the next six months.

We are acutely aware that we are Blessed and we’re eternally grateful that we decided to come home.

We will raise a glass to absent friends and South Africans all over the world and wish you all well on your journeys back home.