Have you noticed how many expat-Londoners are returning to SA recently? If you haven’t I think it’s time that I pointed it out.
It’s a strange anomaly I’ve begun to notice. The brain-drain scare has been around since ‘94 in South Africa and rightfully so, people have been leaving.
I had noticed it over the past, say, six years. I left high school and a few mates left for “greener pastures”. I graduated from University and a few more left to travel the world, gain more skills, find something new and try out different places. Many left with a bitter taste in their mouths and many swore never to return. However many of them didn’t plan on the recession. Many didn’t plan on the UK working visa taking a turn away from South Africans and many simply realised that with all of our problems, South Africa is still their home and probably always will be.
I attended a pleasant little dinner part of Friday night. I was astounded to note that out of the eight people there I was the only one out of the group who hadn’t traveled to and lived in London. Even more exciting and intriguing was that all seven of the others had been to London, earned some money, saved, gained some extra skill sets and decided to return to SA over the past year or two.
Is this the great reversal of the brain drain? Is it possible that there are many, many more South Africans who are set to return in the very near future? I think it might be. I think there are many young South Africans realising that the earning potential for them if they return to our country is greatly improved now that the recession has hit, now that their visa’s have come to an end and now that families are beginning to buckle down here and stick it out.
The current political climate could also have a great affect on the decisions of returning South Africans. The fact that the ANC is being shaken up, that there are more options and that the political environment has become more competitive things are starting to look more interesting.
I have said this before and I will say it again, it is a very exciting time to be a young South African. Things are happening. We are beginning to realise that we have the potential to earn, to change, to fix, to heal and to make this nation the nation it has the potential to become.
To all the returning expats I say well done and welcome home. We hoped you’d come back.
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January 12th, 2009 at 11:24 am
It’s not the first time I’ve read about a reverse-brain-drain in South Africa and the last time I read it, it was also all about the recession in the UK.
South Africans are struggling to find work in the UK so they’re coming back home to where they have a support group to lean on. Heck, we’re moving back to Joburg (from Centurion) for the same reason – so we can lean on our friends and family in tough times.
I think it’s a very serious trend that we’ll continue to see right into 2010. And I also believe that the World Cup will decide the fate of this trend. If it’s a massive success, expect a LOT more reverse-brain-drain. Especially if the rest of the world is still in a recession or licking its wounds. If it bombs-out, then I think we’ll see people leaving again.
I’m not sure and I’m no analyst but the general vibe I get is that South Africans (locally and abroad) are basing their futures on 2 things: The outcome of the (just around the corner) elections and the success (or failure) of 2010.
Those 2 things will change SA in a big way and I’m confident that BOTH will be MASSIVE successes, the likes of which South Africa has never seen before. Hey, I’m not saying everything will go perfectly but any measure of power-distribution via the elections and a successful world cup WILL see our roots firmly and permanently placed for growth towards becoming a world super-power.
My 2c
January 12th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Hey Nic
I’m still in London. Been to London, got the experience, gone back to SA, come back to London again so I’ve seen it from all angles!
I have noticed a lot of people going back to SA these days but I think, more than anything, its the tightening of the Visa laws that are forcing people home. There are definitely other factors like family, weather and optimism in SA. Although I must say that a lot of people going back are still worried about the same old nonsense: corrupt government, crime, the job market (AA and all that) and stability. As soon as SA looks like sorting that out, people will be back in their droves, including me probably!
In the mean time, people should keep up with the 2 year travel bit, even though Dubai is the new London, as it opens up great opportunities for you that you wouldn’t have got in SA and you also come back a more mature, capable person.
I often joke with my brother who is also over here that London is the great South African apprenticeship program. SA kids come over here clueless, without skill (or with a qualification and no experience) and return home fully fledge adults and contributing members of society.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I wish and hope it will be me in a few years time coming home. i feel guilty that my skills paid for by the SA government are being used in another country
January 13th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I am a SA that has lived overseas for 15 years in California. I hold US citizenship, have a degree from UC Berkeley and am married to an American. We are on our way back to SA (as we speak sitting in DC waiting for our flight to Jo’burg).
I have travelled all over the world and enjoyed my life in the USA. But, SA is my home and I believe it is filled with great opportunities – lifestyle, career and creativity.
My biggest fear is not politics or corruption (these issues exist everywhere) but crime. This, I believe, is what holds many SA back from returning. I know it is a great concern of mine and the idea of having to be careful and wary is something that is tuff to deal with. However, I believe we can solve this and move forward with a concerted effort by all communities in SA.
I will be going to UCT for my MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and doing research on new monetary systems and mobile banking. I am confident in SA and believe that it is a wonderful place to live.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Hey Saul
Thank you for your comment. It takes courage to do what you are doing and I have incredible respect for you.
I agree with you, crime is problematic and there is no denying that, anyone who does is blind.
But I further agree that crime is a problem that can be resolved over time.
Goodluck with your future. Keep reading and maybe even contribute to SA Rocks when you get back to SA!!
Keep well,
Nic
April 18th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
First, the website is not mine but a great resource for those who want information about South Africa.
Anyways, I have been gone for 10 years but never really left. I migrated to the US and have a great upper-middle class life but the longing and missing the family is unbearable. I miss south africa every day and I feel this longing is actually holding me back. I am going to visit soon and make a decision after that.
Also for me, crime is what complicates my decision because I have kids. Also, my daughter is about to go to college this year and this really, really complicates things.
South Africa rest assured that once a South African, always a South african!.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I’m an Afrikaans boertjie who has been in NZ and Australia working for a health care company as Company Accountant. Bottom line (without saying anything bad about it here) I will be returning to SA in a few days time. Born there that is where I belong.. Thanks mate, but Australia and NZ is not for me! Who ever stays.. Good Luck, hope you make the best of it!
Hallo ouens, lekker om weer in te blend waar ek tuis kan voel. Kom ONS maak n verkil in ONS land, een keer in Afrikaner altyd n Afrikaner!
July 29th, 2009 at 10:43 am
THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER
I am a South African citizen and have lived in the Philippines since January 2009 and need to return by the end of this year. Where and how can I get support to secure employment in S.A. again?
September 8th, 2009 at 8:38 am
@Dirk,
You probably could not make it in Aust. Always easy to use the dirft “always a SA bloke”. Is better that you retun as only the strong SA ones survive in aussie.
btw, I am also RSA bloke, and will always remain it (as you can not get rid of it even if you try – same is true for any nationality actually – 101 logic mate). And here is the “but…”
But I have realised that you only get one life and you need to make the most of it. So logic says live in a country that can give you that. Give you true freedom, opportunity and respect (not even to mention crime).
tata.
good luck mate!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I spent fifteen years in Europe, mostly Italy and now divide my time between Italy and Cape Town. South Africa is really getting better and Cape Town is truly a world class city.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:51 am
@oi
After 5 years in Oz and 8 in the UK I have decided to return back to Jozie. I am going back with my eyes open and am aware of the challenges but lets be realistic, Oz has become an over regulated, restricted freedom, stifling nation – I have very good friends there and enjoyed my time but SA is for me.
As for the UK, all I can say is expenses scandal up and down Europe ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/28/sarkozy-shower-spending-eu) as in indication of corruption under the covers. No country is perfect you just have to choose what you’re willing to live with.
It always saddens me when I come across South Africans who are almost feral when it comes to their opinions on SA or why their new adopted country is better. Its almost as if they have to justify to themselves the reasons for their abdonment by being as malicious and vengeful as possible about SA. These naysayers should rather just be still and stop visitng places (like this blog) that are painting a more pragmatic picture.