This is a difficult topic because the reason for staying or leaving anything from a club to a sports match or a pub is so personal. There is no generic reason for any one person.
I am going to try and be personal about this and give my 5 reasons:
5 reasons to stay in SA
- The potential to succeed is always present – whether you achieve this potential or not, I cannot help but keep trying.
- The people are passionate – If they are genuine, hateful, passionate, kind or helpful they are passionately so.
- South Africans live life – We might sometimes live in fear, but we live. Everything we do is real, harsh, exciting or dull but it is everything. There is almost no room to be lazy with your life. Everyday I choose to live
- The country is stunning in every way – By this I mean that I have lived here my entire life and I still haven’t seen everything that SA has to offer.
- Many South Africans are socially aware (we have Ubuntu) – We can try to resist it but the realities of life are everywhere, on the street corner in the news or in your back yard. I am aware that my gated community is not the only community that exists
- Crime
- Lack of sufficient government leadership
- The ever present reminder that life is hard – Wherever you turn there is a feeling of guilt shoved at you. Beggards, government telling us, critics, sceptics and anyone else who cares to try and tell you
- The world is smaller – I want to travel and the world is so incredible that I want to see more of it.
- Big fish, small pond – I would want to leave to see if I can make it somewhere else, somewhere without the support structure that I have here.
- Liveblogging: The UNEXPECTED Business Case for staying in South Africa
- Letter to the Editor: Give me a reason to come to SA!
- 130 countries and South Africa is one of the best
- Complacency vs Positivism
- Is it time to leave South Africa?
5 reasons to leave in SA
There are more reasons on both ends of the spectrum but I could go on forever, I wont. What are your reasons to stay and to leave. Which one outweighs the other?
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May 30th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Big topic to raise.
I live in Australia, been here 4 years, emigrated.
Became a citizen and I can honestly say there is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my homeland, the culture, people and beauty.
It’s not as easy as people think to live elsewhere, you leave behind family and friends, quality of living, etc.
You gain the safety but I recon Australia will catch-up one day.
All I can say is ? It’s hard both sides.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Hi Ray,
I think you really understand what I was trying to say. You are 100% right, it is hard, on both sides!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:11 am
The situation in SA in terms of crime, government, and stability looks like it’s getting worse. At the same time however, business opportunities, scenic beauties, and other positive factors make this one of the best places in the world to live.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:12 am
good one
Home is where the heart is and it def is in this country, though the last 2 weeks made me wonder why I’m South African.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:16 am
For me personally the reasons to go outweight the reasons to stay by far. But this is my country and I am staying.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Good points, all of them.
So which way does the scale balance? The 5 “for” points build a strong case to stay. The last 4 “nay” points are valid, but not strong enough to get me to pack my case.
Crime is a different issue, of course, because it is possible to ignore until the day it hits you personally. And then, you would be forgiven for forgetting the first half of your post all together.
I am hoping that the change in government (nay, point 2) will help fix the crime (nay, point 1) and then the answer to the big question becomes self-evidential.
Here’s hoping!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I must admit, I have thought about leaving many times, but there is too much to leave behind. This is my home, always has been, and I’m not going to be chased away that easily…
Of course, you could compare this attitude with those living in tornado alley – the ones whose houses get destroyed, and always answer television interviews with “we’re going to stay and rebuild” in a horribly twangy southern accent. Those guys are out of their minds. I’m no masochist, but I don’t believe in giving up when something can be done about it.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Thank you Nic. X
May 31st, 2008 at 9:48 am
I’ve talked about this a bit on my blog but the big worry for me is the crime. It isn’t that it is a new issue or even that it may be getting worse (I don’t know, does anyone?). For me it is more a change in my priorities since my little boy arrived. If something ever happened to my wife and baby nothing else would matter and the possibility of something happening to them is the scariest thing I can contemplate.
Other concerns are infrastructure and few reasons to have much confidence in our seemingly inept government. That being said there are so many wonderful things about this country I know I would miss if I ever left and they tend to offset the lesser issues. For me, ultimately, it comes down to the possible impact of crime on my family. That is a big enough reason for me to look elsewhere.
May 31st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Hey
I haven’t left SA, but I’m not there, and haven’t been home in about 7 months or so.
Most of the time as I see and explore the different cities I am in, I hear members of my groups saying they could live here or there, for whatever reason. I couldn’t imagine living somewhere else, South Africa is just so amazing.
I am not saying this because I am home sick, but because home has so much to offer and as you said – so much potential.
My favorite cities, after being in about 21 in the last 7 months have been Berlin and Amsterdam. Similar but also very different to South Africa. I could live there, I could spend an extended amount of time in those two cities, but I couldn’t pack my things, sell my car, cancel my bank account etc to be there.
My point is, it might be fun and wonderful and safe to live somewhere else, I’d just rather make a difference in my home country. I’d rather excel in South Africa, I’d rather be recognised as I make my mark in Mzantsi. I would rather know everything about this amazing country and teach my grandchildren it’s stories, it’s history, it’s beauty.
I used to get angry when people had nothing good to say about SA, I used get heartbroken when people thought Africa was a country, I used to want to get hit by a bus when the ignorant spoke of Africa with so much authority having never been to any of the 53 countries.
I don’t anymore, because I know at least one country and I have the same smile Mona Lisa has, knowing a secret that others will only find out if they have the capacity to embrace the brilliance of my home.
I just wish I could meet more South Africans around the world as easy as it is to meet people in South Africa.
Thanks again for this blog Nic, you keep me going!!!!
June 1st, 2008 at 9:25 am
Great piece and top comments!
Reasons for staying
My home (tenth generation South African)
My people (all races and cultures) I LOVE them all
My church (not dour, spiritually strengthening)
My culture (hard-working, ethical, outreaching)
My family
Our weather
Our magnificent country (oceans, bush, mountains, karoo, namakwaland etc)
Great potential if ALL work TOGETHER
Other countries sets of problems covert, ours out in the open.
We live in a safe place in SA
Reasons for going
A future for our sons
The current leadership
Crime
BUT LOOK, THIS can all be changed! The moment we stop playing the victims and stop concentrating on the negative, embrace the positives and release our spirits to reach out across the cultural divide, it can all change – that’s the beauty! One step at a time. BUT MAKE THAT STEP.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
South Africa needs its people more than ever. To step up and make a change. Step up and make a difference, however small.
This country needs us all to do a small part and build it to be the place we all dream it will be.
Yes, we have our problems, but that can all be changed. We are not like other countries, we have to work harder, and that includes believing in South Africa. Coming together to create magnificence.
That which is of value is harder to attain. South Africa is worth it.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
‘Lack of leadership’ should be changed to ‘NO LEADERSHIP AT ALL.’
If the leadership of a private organization failed the way the country’s leadership have, they would immediately be dismissed and replaced.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Nice post, Nic –
I think your reason 3 to leave (“The ever present reminder that life is hard – Wherever you turn there is a feeling of guilt shoved at you.”) is actually one of the many reasons I want to stay. Seeing people less fortunate helps me keep things in perspective, helps me appreciate my blessings, and reminds me of my social obligation. I remembered being in the States and everything was abundant and cheap and accessible for almost all – and as a result, I thought that America was one of the most soulfully dead places I had ever mean to. In my opinion, they had lost perspective about what was really important.
I am reminded of what is real almost every single day in SA.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
moederland, vaderland en nuweland;
))
love them all equally,
but having visited the vaderland 4 times during the past 3 years, with a Cape winelands & WINEX tour that i will be taking from Canada in September;
despite the frequent absence since 1995 . . . .
ja nee ! eishh !!
my Vaderland is nog ‘n lekker land !!!
in vino veritas – tassies or klippies and their successors – gulpz. . . . . biltong, wors en twee pote rotte ook . . . .
June 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I wonder if we’ll ever have another generation of such hopeful, optimistic South Africans willing to push their weight behind a new government for a better future. Many of us are so verbal and aware of the current political situation and so many South Africans want the same thing… to live in our country and to be able to enjoy our hard earned democracy. We just don’t seem to be able to get where we want to be.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I moved to Washington, D.C. for love. I have been here for 3 years. After my 29th birthday in March, 2008 i started having all sorts of questions pop into my head “Do i want to die in the United States? Can i live forever in a different part of the world than my family? , etc.”
While i am a legal US resident – with a green card – , have a wonderful job, a loving relationship – that has its ups and downs, and live in a one of the most modern world cities, i still felt incomplete and home-sick.
Yesterday, yes, yesterday i gave my employer my notice of resignation. I am going back home to Cape Town in a month.
I don’t have a job or a ton of money – and i am bit nervous (ah, very nervous). I also told my partner about my decision.
After being here for this long my feelings for SA have been very strong…i was one of those people who hated hearing of people leaving SA for greener pastures – and i did it (albeit for love).
I dont know what the future holds for South Africa. But i do know that the same energy that allowed me to prosper in the U.S. can be put to greater use in S.A. to help people with the bonus of being close to my family, community, and country.
I asked my partner to join me….lets pray he does…i am a sad but also looking forward to a Cape Town.
I think it takes each one of us putting positive energy into South Africa and never allowing it to fall even in it’s weekest times.
Wish me luck my friends!
SA ROCK!
~Seth
September 25th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
We’ve been in the UK for nearly four years now and while we are alot better off financially, we still always feel that something is missing in our lives! We are seriously contemplating returning to sunny SA but are a little worried about the job situation as well as the cost of health care.
Can’t wait to experience a little SA gees!!
March 4th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Nic, thank you for this blog and to the bloggers; thank you for believing in our country.
I have been very angry and depressed recently reading and watching headlines about crime in SA and hearing people saying they will never go to SA because they fear being killed.
The entries here have made my week! I’m more positive about working for a safer and richer SA!! Let’s all come together and fight! We’ve shown the world already that together we cannot be defeated when we fought against apartheid9 Yes, it was black & white South Africans who fought); Let’s do it again..Let’s fight crime and WIN!!!
July 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
So glad to stumble across SAROCKS. I had a similiar idea to set up a website where people could air their positive views about South Africa but so happy yours already exists.
The subject of South Africa, particularly amongst White South Africans is like taking one step forward and 10 steps back all the time. If only people could think just one positive thought about the country each day it would begin to make a huge difference. Negative thinking is like a cancer slowly spreading, eating people away.
I hope your website explodes and people start to be inspired by the ‘world in one country’ the beautiful and great South Africa.
August 10th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Hey guys
It is really awesome to read the comments on this post.
I have been in the UK now for almost a year. I left SA vowing never to go back… HAHA who was I kidding??? Not a day goes by where you do not miss the energy of our grate nation.
I find it very disturbing to meet the South Africans that have accepted they will not return home, you still see a deep longing in their eyes and you know they miss it very much.
Yes crime is by far my biggest concern, but having said that I lived in Johannesburg for 8 years and never got a scratch on me.
The one thing I have come to realise it that once you are born in South Africa you will always carry it in your heart and never be able to leave it no matter where you go.
I miss all the passionate people of our great country. I miss being able to work in a country where people from all backgrounds are represented and proud of who they are.
Johannesburg is still the best city in the world! ( I know everyone from Cape Town will now debate this with me
) I will be seeing it very soon again 
February 26th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Well here is something all of you would like to read. We immigrated to down under two years ago. Were employed by a sponsor company. Fellow South Africans made it impossible to stay at the sponsor(victimization the sponsor withdrew as sponsor with no valid reason and no apology) we left, within that following year we lost our jobs again. You go to work, thru all the other hardships like missing the most beautiful country South Africa, missing your family having no true friends because you are ever carrying the label of an immigrant, reaching your workplace you get told your position has been axed with no counselling to reason at all. Please everyone consider before leaving South Africa, at least in South Africa you get a fair change to be heard although sometimes you feel nobody listened to you. Believe me we are returning to South Africa with nothing no one in down under wants to hear our story, no one cares it might be safer here but just last week a 12 yr old were stabbed with a knife in a christian school. We are in danger all over the world but I must admit been in both countries South Africa ROCKS
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:18 am
The problem I have is that the murder or rape of a loved one only has to happen once – and at least two lives are stuffed forever.
It is not like stubbing your toe – the pain of significant trauma NEVER goes away.
The risk of this point alone negates ALL the positives.
To make a decision to stay and risk the mental and physical health of your family is selfish beyond belief.
Leaving family, country and friends was the hardest thing I have ever done. Make the move – if not for you, for your family.
May 15th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
@ Larry. I agree with you.
The funny thing is thatNic always write about how great the RSA people are. Yet it is exactly these people that committ the crime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Nic is controdicting himself or are living in denial.
I hate RSA as RSA forced me to leave! And today I wish I was never born there. I gave up that RSA crap passport. Today I live in the best country in the world and taking classes to get rid of my RSA accent.
RSA folks : get out while you can. You can live in other much better countries, no worries. Change is hard, but the benefits are spectacular. Yep Nic talk about risk and living and being on the edge…. Come and join your ex-RSA brave heroic folks in Aussie (or UK, US, NZ, etc). Isreal is an example of how the wold will one day give RSA back to it’s people albeit it may take another world war or 2000 years for it to happen. In the mean time you can extend your life expectancy by at least another 30 years by moving out of RSA. Do it asap! Take the risk seeing that you claim you like living in risk!!!
August 30th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I dont know what the future holds for South Africa, but i think that white’s will keep it hard
October 26th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Im a 29 year old professional with a masters degree. My fiance has left to nz and wants me to follow in a few months. She has stated she wants a guarantee that, come what may, I wont leave her because she cannot go back to SA because of crime. She says I need to give her this guarantee or not come at all. She has had several family members murdered and so have I.
She has found an ok job for her qualifications. I just dont know what to do. . . I have a beautiful family here(parents, brother and sister), disfunctional as they are I will miss them so badly. She on the other hand is an only child. In South Africa I know how fulfilling life can be, how you can make a real difference in peoples lives. But am I burying my head in the sand thinking she and my future kids will be safe in SA. Am I just weak and scared to leave everything I know. Is crime so bad that I need to leave. But what if she is right.
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May 24th, 2011 at 11:04 am
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November 22nd, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. Thanks for sharing.
February 5th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
having come back a second time from working overseas the first time fron kuwait and the second time from amazing moscow i came back a month ago,and my god things are worse than ever. whites look finished and are more hateful than ever (im white btw) prices are 3x higher than ever, there is a moral decay, medical costs are unreal (i tried to see the doctor but was disgusted by the prices) the only kindness i experienced without expected to GET something in return was from the black sa’s. i am leaving now for asia and i just cant wait to get out and eventually settle in my husbands country the usa! thank god i will never come back!