Things South Africans miss when living abroad
Things South Africans miss when living abroad

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16 Things South Africans Miss When Living Abroad

So what do South Africans miss when living abroad? For a start – “Your mother” (Jou ma…) insults will never quite have the same level of burn. 1. South Africans miss a proper “braai” The crackling of fire. The delicious aroma of flavours. The biltong starters. The general lack of excuse needed to have a […]

Things South Africans miss when living abroad
Things South Africans miss when living abroad

So what do South Africans miss when living abroad? For a start – “Your mother” (Jou ma…) insults will never quite have the same level of burn.

1. South Africans miss a proper “braai

boerewors
Source: southafricanculture.wordpress.com

The crackling of fire. The delicious aroma of flavours. The biltong starters. The general lack of excuse needed to have a braai. I could go on…

2. Table Mountain

Table Mountain and aloes
Source – Flickr: south-african-tourism /Creative Commons

South Africans need to make an annual pilgrimage to Table Mountain to ask the Gods to bless our sports teams and beat Australia in cricket and rugby.

3. Unleashing our inner Bokke fan!

Springbok fan with flag
Source: capetownincolour.wordpress.com

This is an integral part of our culture.

4. South African slang

South African slang
Source: cashkows.com

With 11 official languages our slang is a kaleidoscope of the best way to insult someone, compliment them and invent new units of time.

5. Our coastline

Coastline
Source: Flickr: isabelsommerfeld / Creative Commons

Can you even?

6. Koeksusters

Ducks and #koeksusters

A photo posted by Karin Johns (@karinjohns) on

Deep fried sticky high cholesterol goodness. (See koeksuster recipe here.)

7. Hearing the South African accent

Getting goosebumps with Jack Black. #nailedit #goosebumpsmovie #dailyshow #jackblack

A photo posted by The Daily Show (@thedailyshow) on

At least, we can tune into The Daily Show when the struggle gets too real.

9. Saying “Sorry” even when it’s not our fault

I'm sorry
Source: Paramount Pictures / Via giphy.com

Just let us sympathise and be sorry. Or we might just explode.

9. Highveld lightning storms

Highveld Thunder Storms
Photo by Alexius van der Westhuizen. Source: africageographic

Who doesn’t miss watching mother nature at her finest while curled up in a blanket with some hot chocolate and rusks?

10. Biltong

Bless the souls who have tried and failed to bring this culinary delight to other parts of the world. It’s just not the same. (You can try make your own biltong here.)

11. The Weather

#Namaqualand in full bloom. Photo by @scherithaaa #MeetSouthAfrica #spring #NorthernCape

A photo posted by South African Tourism (@meetsouthafrica) on

Anywhere else is either too hot or too cold.

12. Free Drinkable Tap Water

Drinking water cat
Source: funnycutegifs / Via giphy.com

There is nothing like drinking water from your own tap without the risk of dying.

13. Bunny chow

Bunny Chow
Source: Flickr: thetravelingtable / Creative Commons

Helllloooooo carbs! Is it me you’ve been looking for?

14. Scenic nature getaways

Nature getaways
Source: Flickr: beechcraftmuc / Creative Commons

So many options, so little time.

15. Understanding memes like this

Joburg meme
Via Facebook

Oh. Johannesburg. We still love you.

16. And of course, the wildlife!

Elephant watering hole
Source: static.Pexels.com
Lauren Melnick
LAUREN MELNICK

LAUREN MELNICK is a 25-year-old self-professed “Digital Marketing Geek” and world adventurer. Lauren consumes everything around her two greatest passions – travel and social media.