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The Last Word…South Africa, We Love You

In response to all the open letters bashing expats…I’d like to say there are so many sides here. Yes, you get the expat hell bent on taking South Africa down, but to be honest – living as an expat and having family living as expats all over the world – these people are few and far between. […]

By SAPeople
07-06-15 20:45
in Fab South African Stuff

In response to all the open letters bashing expats…I’d like to say there are so many sides here.

Table Mountain, South African reflections

Yes, you get the expat hell bent on taking South Africa down, but to be honest – living as an expat and having family living as expats all over the world – these people are few and far between.

Snowman - we love you South Africa

Most of us like the place, most of us miss the place, we miss the people…let’s face it South Africa is a funny place with some funny stories that make me cry with laughter or cry with sadness.

It is a beautiful place that etches itself into your bones forever.

Drakensberg, KZN
Drakensberg, KZN

We recommend to friends and strangers we meet along the way to go and visit…and a lot have gone on my recommendation.

We do genuinely care and turn up to vote in the election to make it a better place for you, your family and your kids.

South Africans queue to vote at the South African embassy in London on April 30, 2014. Photo: Vanessa Knight
South Africans queue to vote at the South African embassy in London on April 30, 2014. Photo: Vanessa Knight

We do scream for South Africa in the pub watching the rugby…

Springbok tattoo

As I said the folks that are hell bent on taking South Africa down are few and far between here…in fact I really don’t know many.

Home is where the heart is...South Africa

The expats I do know and hang out with definitely do not sit there and talk about South Africa through our dinner parties and afternoon ‘tea and scones’. We talk about other things…the weather, our kids…we post pictures of the weather and our kids on FB…we do not clog up Social Media with negativity about South Africa.

South African flag on jewellery

Moving across an ocean is not easy…leaving familiar smells, sounds, sights and people for another land is pretty hardcore…especially when your entire family leaves. That is heavy on the soul.

Gansbaai, South Africa reflections

Making that decision to leave South Africa is a tough decision for anyone.

Expats in Edinburgh and Melbourne
South African expats in Edinburgh (left) and Melbourne (right). Pictures: Meshack Shima & Juzlayne Holtzhausen

We expats are a brave bunch exploring a brave new world. The expats I do know, fly the flag proudly over here…so this ‘bash an expect’ mentality does kinda leave a bitter sweet taste in my mouth.

This kind of behaviour does, once again, fence people. It is disappointing. No offence anyone.

Have a great week wherever you are in the big global village! Sala kukuhle dear people…
South African flag nail polish

Words by Samantha Jane Caine‎

[quote_center]”Maybe we should start moving to the ‘WE’ principle, and forget about the ‘US’ and ‘THEM’ way of thinking. Then we can all work towards a common goal” – Francois Swart[/quote_center]