After reading Trash Media‘s post a few days ago I thought it might be worth bringing up the topic of emigration.
Is it worth trying to campaign to keep people in SA? Should SA let those go who wish to leave?
I am a firm believer in staying and building and making a difference rather than fleeing to supposed “greener” pastures. I don’t truly believe that anywhere is better than SA, just different, with different issues and problems.
What do you think?
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July 19th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I am also part of the stay and build, i have travelled and never come close to finding anything that has made me want to leave, sure we have issues, but this is not unique to South Africa.
As to trying to keep people here, if they are hell bent on leaving no amount of arguing or convincing would keep them here.
I recall a story in one of i think Alistar Sparks book, about a chap who had pretty much emigrated, his wife to be and the rest of his family had already moved to the states and he was sitting in a house full of boxes – torn between leaving and staying and trying to build something.
In the end he sacrificed his safe life in the states along with his wife to be to stay and start a low cost university.
It was a really heart warming tale and to my mind the attitude we are all going to need to make it work.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Well said. nice story. And I think that you are right, our issues are not unique, but we, as South Africans believe that we are the only ones who feel the way we feel and know the things we know.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:55 am
I left and returned. I am also of the mind that we need to build not destroy.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I’m in Edinburgh, Scotland at the moment, and I’ve been in the UK for almost two years. It has had its moments and I’m pleased to be able to travel easily to Europe, but MOSTLY it has been a bit of a grey, bleak life – work focused and often lonely.
I’m coming back at the end of the year. I’ll be glad I’ve travelled, and I’ll no doubt want to travel more, but SA will always be home! We do not realise the quality of life we have in SA until you LIVE somewhere else.
I think we need to offer our bright minds more incentive to stay or return. Academics, researchers, nurses and teachers earn a pittance in SA, and are very well paid overseas, but some people who leave are just not interested in staying and building anything – marketing campaigns will do nothing to disuade these people, and I don’t believe we should try.
July 25th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Bloody optimists =’) You had all better be right!
July 25th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Ross, my friend, I am right…. If I’m not, ill be the only one to blame for not doing what this country needs me to do..