This post is a contribution from Teresa Conlon:
I cant believe that it is finally happening, after 9 years in London, my husband our three children and myself are finally moving back to SA. Some of you might say what the hell for? Especially when you have three young children to look after.
Well that is exactly it. A friend of mine, Catherine Jenkin, once wrote on a note of her own about the 10 reasons to raise a child in South Africa, and they are the 10 reasons I want to go home.
I am missing my home more and more each day and cant belive that I ever dreamed I wanted to run away from YWP, from the smallness, all I ever wanted was to go to London and finally discover who I am, on my own. Which I was very fortunate enough to do. I got to meet a lovely English gent, who loves South Africa (who couldn’t). I found myself as I wanted to, and then found three more reasons to love being me and they are my children. They are also the reason to go home. I need my parents around me, to support me and remind me that I am doing a great job as a Mum. I need to go back to the smallness of the world and forget how big a place it really is, because over the 9 years that I have been away from home, I have lost the connections I once had with many friends and family, and am hoping if I bridge that huge gap over the continents I will one day have it back.
I am also hoping to provide my children with the childhood and friendships that you develop in South Africa with the different way of life and culture than you get here in London, where even if you live two roads away from your brother or sister you very rarely see them or their children.
Dont get me wrong, I am very happy that I chose to travel to London, as without it I would not have met the people I have met over the last 9 years, I would not have formed friendships that are unbreakable, but as they say all good things must come to an end.
So to cheers to London and thank you very much for the wonderful husband you have provided me with and to the three amazing children you have contributed toward me having, for the friendships you have helped me to develop with people from all over the world, and finally thank you for helping me to discover myself and find belief that I am the best possible version of me that I could hope to be.
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August 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Dear Teresa,
as a German speaking Namibian who has left the bushveld for big and cold Germany for about the same reasons as you have about ten years ago, I first of all like to congratulate you on your bold move – I envy your courage. Secondly, could you perhaps give at least a summary of that list of 10 reasons to raise a child in South Africa that your friend compiled? If it weren’t for my children, I would have gone home long time ago, as you can imagine (my home sickness is killing me), so I could really need some argumentative help. Thanks so much upfront!
Henriks last blog post..Mad Maxe in Nigeria sind Schausteller
August 13th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Henrik – you can go and read the original post http://cathjenkin.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/ten-reasons-why-i-want-to-raise-my-child-in-south-africa/ for all the reasons!!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I am so so proud of you Teri, my oldest friend from when we were very little indeed.
Thanks for the link love Nic.
XXX
caths last blog post..The SheBee Blogorama
August 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
The introduction is a fabulous endorsement of – gasp! – London! She gave good reasons, and listed eonough compliments for the British capital to convince this London resident to stay put.
elgars last blog post..
August 15th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Teresa, I enjoyed reading your post. I’ve been home for 4 months now after 13 years in the UK. It’s the best move we could possibly have made. It took me 5 years to persuade my English hubby that our children weren’t having a proper childhood in the UK and needed to go where they could spend more than 2 weeks of the year barefoot. The kids love it here, he loves it here, and even though we’ve gone from one winter to another, we still feel like the luckiest people alive for having made a decision that has impacted us all so positively.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Good on you Teresa (as they say in NZ). We are planning our move back middle next year from NZ, miss EVERYTHING about SA TOO much! By next year June we would’ve been away for 2 years. 2 years too long!
Wilderness, Baviaans, Tsitsikamma, some of our favourite getaway spots, love it and miss it dearly!
See you guys soon!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:52 am
its wonderful to see that this site sings the praises of all things good in SA, and its niceto see that there are others doing the same.One of them is http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com
Copy and paste the URL into your browsr,and you will find this site, although not as interactive as yours, is filled with wonderful stories about poeple and organisations who are making a difference to the country. Its a website by the International Marketing Council who are respnosible for branding the country internationally. Theyve also brought us the Proudly South African campaigns, Shot Left and a hos of others aimed at creatinga positive buzz about the country. If you like this site you’ll like http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com
tamaras last blog post..Global acclaim for SA film
December 4th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
It is truly wonderful to read all the letters from readers wanting to return to S.A. or planning to return. I fall in the latter category, but my inability to find a job prevents me from coming back. Despite 30 years of experience in Cape Town’s top hotels and Guest Houses, and despite daily internet searches, I cannot find employment. Whilst this is not a forum for job seekers, I am hoping that someone might read my letter and refers me to someone who has a vacancy.
If that is the case, drop me a line at; dannu@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks
Ulrich Dannecker
July 6th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I am glad that there are so many saffas deciding to come home and all that, I really am. But I am in SA right now, contemplating moving to the UK. I am still living with mommy and daddy, and I’m becoming too old to be living with them. I spent 18 months in London earning money so that I could come back to sa and study. Now that I’ve done so, I cant find a damn job anywhere! I know that everyone is struggling because of the recession… But how am I to find a job and move out of my parents house and move on with my life, if on top of there being a recession, I have to contend with BEE and AA?
So like I say, its nice and cozy that so many of us are returning, but my question is, are you just going to ignore the reasons you left in the first place? Highest crime rate in the world, BEE and AA etc. This is not a criticism, its an honest question.
A counter argument to me going back to the UK is that, they are also struggling with the recession and so on, but atleast I know that when the recession does end, I will stand a chance of getting a job. When exactly will the racist by-laws we call BEE and AA end? 350 years?
Its all so depressing
August 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
what is BEE?
i remember AA as that is one of the reasons i left (besides being robbed).
first few years are not easy in a new country. but once you settle your are fine (actually great!).
‘Stralia rules.
April 17th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Hi … I just wondered if you have now actually moved back to S.A? How did you find the readjustment?
I have been living in Greece for 10yrs and I love the islands and great sea here, but I miss those green winelands and saterday afternoon braai’s. My hubby (Greek) and I also want to move back to S.A. but I figure the only thing one can do is to start your own business if you really want to make it there… are there any of you out there that have repatriated and what do you think?
November 20th, 2010 at 7:42 am
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