SA Rocks

by Adam Currie

Well, well, well…I do love to spark a debate and my last little ramble (A Canuck Kaapie) certainly got some individuals’ blood boiling. A good few old-school Johannes’ shook their heads, put there brandewyn’s aside, and decided to give me a good ol’ Groot Krokodil finger wag.

I was thrown the ever so popular, ‘Why aren’t you back in South Africa then’ line, as well as the clichéd, and oh so melodramatic ‘Crime in SA is real’ spiel… (cue the violin music). I am well aware of crime in SA- my student digs in Grahamstown- with a permanent SAPS inspector parking spot- can attest to that. However in life you will always have the pessimistic cowboy in his rocking chair, just waiting to shoot down the first glimpse of optimism.

It got me thinking and, after a discussion with some other young Saffa’s this side of the pond, I decided to gain some perspective. Being new to this land of frosty winters and mediocre ales, I decided to head down to my local watering hole in order to watch the Mighty Men in Green demolish those silly chaps in black, with that funny pre-game dance (Boks vs All Blacks if the sporting metaphors are not driving home here).

I pulled up a chair at the first Saffa supporting table I could find- not difficult… it was beaming with beers, meat and an all round incredible aura that would make Mandela and Sisulu do an African jive. I announced that I was new to Canada and, upon hearing my oh so smooth Saffa tones, was greeted with a backslap, a ‘howzit’ and an ice cold frosty beverage that would make the SAB breweries chairman kick his heels with glee.

I asked what had bought these fine esteemed individuals, stemming from Potch to Paarl, to this land of maple leaves and lumberjacks. I was expecting the clichéd drones of ‘South Africa is going the way of Zim’, or worse yet ‘I am here on the new white refugee programme’. But what was this? These fine learned persons threw crazy lines out such as ‘I am here to build up my skills, and then perhaps head home after’, or …‘I am young and traveling with every intention of heading home’. My word… The audacity of them all. I felt for a second a feeling of euphoria. A feeling that, unlike Brandon Huntley, I was indeed not alone in this cruel world.

As we sat and chatted it became clear that ‘our’ generation was not defined by age or race. Old and young we sat and conversed, discussing essential and global diplomatic issues. Issues such as Shalk’s mullet to Zuma’s latest auto’s sector stimulus policy. We threw in terms such as ‘china’, and were greeted by a hoorah by the Asian contingent in the back corner. My word, what a spectacular gathering of the finest South African minds of tomorrow.

We were indeed optimistic about SA, yet wanted a bit of travel under our belt that stemmed further than the Springs/ Benoni campsite. Madness I know, but true. We might not have agreed on the important things in life (i.e. WP are clearly returning to their glory days), however the question of returning home was not an option…it was a ‘gimme’. There we sat…black and white (stop coughing- old school cowboy ‘we will never unite’ readers…it is true…serious…no really…black AND white), and discussed our future paths. The paths indeed differed, however the destination was predominantly ‘home’.

I must be the first to admit that I am not some ‘the world is made of candy floss and bunnies’ hippie, that feels if we all just took the time to hug the person next to us, that the world would be a better place. I am fully aware of the issues faced by our nation daily, and am fully aware of factors such as crime, HIV, and the stigma attached to being ‘African’. However, jeepers what an awesome feeling to know that I am indeed an African.

I keep stressing myself as to being part of a ‘lucky generation’ and hell yes I am. No country in the world can speak as openly about issues such as race, discrimination, and the importance of a decent fast bowler in our cricket side than a Saffa, and we are all the better for it. We have transcended from an era of being held back with regards to discussion and thought, to one that is now hailed as a model of developing democracy in its finest form (I stress ‘Developing’ as I can feel the rage ascending in that cowboy now). Yes, I know we have issues, however what other country can boast as far as we have come?

I have traveled and seen places that are supposed to be what South Africa ‘should’ strive to be. I have seen the first world, and with it its fantastic public transport systems (*cough* splutter*…1 x Saffa taxi over London underground anyday thanks), yet still think that South Africa has more potential than these pantheons of first world society.

So I leave you with this…I will indeed come home (very soon in fact), print out my CV and get in line. So dad prep the grid, mom please pack the sarnies for the cricket, and gents make sure that the Labels are cold.

I realise the going will be tough and the issues faced by South African daily are real. However…I am also Saff-nised enough to realise that we are the best damn individuals on the planet, blessed to be part of this era in our history, and that in while not perfect with regards to our domestic issues, we are the envy of many…and, regardless of any pessimistic old grouches telling me otherwise, there is no rather place that I would rather end up.

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Just saw this fantastic Steers advert on Zoopy. Never seen it before and think it’s a great play on the way things are right now with people coming and going from the UK to SA, to Aus and many other places. This is a great angle to take and think Steers pulled this off brilliantly!

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This is an extremely tricky and sensitive debate to have. I think that there are many heated opinions held by people who still feel strongly about their country of birth (South Africa). This feeling clearly leads them to feel some ownership of SA and the countries ruling party.

But I am not so sure.

I firmly believe that South Africans living abroad temporarily on short term (1-4 year) Visa’s – or whatever the time period is, should be allowed to vote. I firmly disagree with expats who have formally left the country indefinitely who want to vote. If you choose to leave a country and have no intention of contributing to the economy, the social upliftment, the every running of the nation then you unfortunately waver the right to vote.

Come back if you want to vote that badly. But don’t leave and then claim to still love the nation and want to make a difference. If you are on a gap year, if you are on a working visa, if you are on an extended holiday then by all means vote, in fact I think the government owes it to citizens who intend on returning to provide a platform (at SA embassies the world over) for these people to vote.

As far as I am aware there are ± 143 political parties which would make the next elections the biggest since 1994. There is something in the air this year, there is change in the people, the masses are taking back the ownership of their days. It started with Obama and hopefully wont end any time soon. Hopefully that dog, Mugabe will be the next to be ousted.

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I read an article at M&G Online this weekend that says that according to Moving companies, real estate agents and nonprofit groups more white South Africans in their late 20s who are abroad are coming back to SA.

Now obviously it would be easy for me to say I can believe this and slot it in to the SA Rocks apparel as proof. But I can’t just do that. Let’s be honest, everyone here seems to be talking about leaving.

So my question is this, what have you heard? Are you noticing more people wanting to leave, talking about leaving or doing it? Me being “The SA Rocks Guy” makes it tough to go out with family, friends, colleagues or aquantances and not talk about leaving SA, am I staying, why and the rest of that discussion. So I hear it alot but are people around you talking about it?

Here’s a snippet from the M&G Online article:

Moving companies, real estate agents and nonprofit groups say more and more white South Africans in their late 20s and beyond are returning to South Africa. Hungry for their own culture, eager to raise children near their own families, and encouraged by their country’s economic potential, these adults are leaving their successful careers abroad for an uncertain future at home.

“We’ve been happy and enjoying ourselves ever since the day we’ve been back,” said Prins, who moved to Johannesburg last October. “I felt like my quality of life improved dramatically.”

Prins and her boyfriend Mark Kirkness, a civil engineer, may not have made the decision to come home if weren’t for the Homecoming Revolution, one of several South African organisations dedicated to persuading expatriates to come back. Kirkness received a job offer after attending a career fair put on by the group, which also provides candid information about the South African economy, security conditions and crime, and hosts networking dinners and other events for those who have returned.

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I don’t often punt events on SA Rocks but this little lecture seems well worth the punt. Thanks to Andy for the email.

Is now the time to emigrate?

Staying in South Africa could be the best decision you’ve ever made.

Are things really as bad as they seem, or are we blind to the country’s true potential?

Don’t pack your bags just yet. Come and listen to the respected trend analyst, JP Landman, outline his widely read article ‘Is the bad mood justified?‘ He will discuss the current political and economic situation in South Africa and illustrate the paradigm shift that is necessary for us to see the good that is taking place amid all the negativity, and how to capitalise on the opportunities it will bring.

This valuable opportunity is on a first-come, first-served basis. Presentations of this nature would normally cost a few hundred Rand per seat, but because we believe in our country and in spreading the optimism, we are giving you this once-off seminar for only R70 per person. Seats are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Click here to confirm your place. You will be taken to the Online Booking Zone; click on Search for a training event, and select Where is SA heading? to complete your booking. Each delegate will need to complete a separate registration.

Tuesday, 1st July 2008

T1 Lecture Theatre
Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu Natal University Road,
Durban

17h00 for 17h30 – 19h00

Wednesday, 23rd July 2008

Linder Auditorium
Education Campus, University of the Witwatersrand
27 St Andrews Road,
Parktown,
Johannesburg

17h30 for 18h00 – 19h30

Tuesday, 29th July 2008

Rotunda
The Bay Hotel, 69 Victoria Road,
Camps Bay,
Cape Town

17h00 for 17h30 – 19h00

Click here to read a brief biography on JP Landman.

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Ed’s note: This post is a contribution from Sheena Gates. She was apparently on the verge of leaving our stunning country but chose not to. Here are her reasons why:

I was leaving for Australia. I had my bags packed, my tickets ready and my family there waiting for me. Then one morning I woke up and thought ‘what the hell am I doing?’. I love Africa. I love my country and its people. There are things in this place that only we could ever understand, such as:

The Vern. Vernon Koekemoer. A phenomenon only available to understanding by Saffers. Shopping for birthdays at the robots. Anything from undies to umbrellas or coat hangers are available at a street vendor near you! Places called ‘Moedersfontein’ and ‘Jakobsdaan’. What beauties. Men wear platform shoes down in Bloem and have shirts shinier than any other girl I know. We are the one nation where Mullet hairdo’s are accepted as the norm, and having buck-teeth can like to be okay.

Our people have learned the art of over-coming. Mug us at the beach? its okay, next time we go back we won’t carry anything with us. Rape us in the home? Its okay, because every single girl I know has a can of Mase and/or a baseball bat nearby the bed. Presidents to be sing Umshiniwam, and its okay – because we make fun of it and post pictures all over facebook. We’ve learned the art of rising above, and keeping our sense of humour.

Our nation may be young, stubborn and maybe even a little bit slower than the rest, but you know what? We’re stronger. We’re funnier. We’re going places and we stick together. Our country is more beautiful than most, and our people the most welcoming and hospitable. Aside from the minority of criminals, we have more spirit and oomph than any other.

I love South Africa, and I’m so excited to start over in a new part of it. Here’s to being a Saffa!

*Disclaimer – this post is a contribution from a contributor and might not entirely represent the views of SA Rocks.

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Last night I had drinks with some people at a pub. I was shocked and astounded to find out that parents of the one people were planning on immigrating from SA to Australia.

Why the blog post? Well let me put it to you this way. In my experience people like to talk about how crappy their situation is, how unhappy they are and how they want to leave. When the truth of the matter is that they neither want to move or are able to move financially. Not to Australia or anywhere else for that matter.

It seems to have become trendy to discuss where you want to live when you leave. It seems to have become dinner party chatter. I think it’s crap and it irritates me.

My immediate take on immigration is that it is such an extremely personal choice that it shouldn’t be thrown about like a game. It’s not a game. It’s not a game for you, your family, friends, country and lifestyle/livelihood.

I say it’s not a game because most people really don’t think it through in its entirety. Immigrating is not about escaping crime, it’s not about the political state of the nation that you live in, it’s not about power cuts or anything other than your personal outlook on things.

You need to move if you personally feel that your quality of life would be improved anywhere else (or the place where you intend to move to). You should not be leaving any country or lifestyle for one factor alone. It needs to be you deciding to better your life. If you are running away, trust me, your problems will follow you.

Then another friend of mine decides to mention that when he completes his studies here in SA he is leaving to go to the UK. Why? Because he will never find a job here, he’s white, young and semi-privileged, thus he believes that he will never, ever, ever find work in SA.

Let me clarify my stance on this point; yes affirmative action is around and yes it affects some people at some point. But in my personal experience (including my friends and associated friends groups) it has not affected anyone detrimentally. At all, ever. All of my friends graduated from university and got jobs. Not within a year, not within five, but from the time of graduation within months.

There are exceptions to everyones rule, there are cases that defy what you think is normal, or actually taking place. In the end the most irritating part of the entire discussion was that the end result is personal. The best part is that there are people in SA who are passionately, defiantly and overtly proud to be here, live here and build a life here. That makes me happy, that keeps me going.

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So I’m not particularly old, in fact I’m relatively young. So when someone trying to organise a ten year reunion for my primary school I get concerned.

However the most concerning thing is that out of about ten responses only two people can make it. The reasons given my all eight of the people not attending were the same, London.

A quick percentage survey of the whopping ten people shows that 80% of the people I grew up with are overseas, in London. What the hell is that? I don’t get it. Overseas, great but London? I just never understand that.

The sad thing is that there is certainly a percentage of these people who will end up staying over there never to return. Why? I don’t know. I would definitely choose to live in SA over London any day of the week. Traveling is great but I honestly don’t count England as traveling anymore. There are just too many South Africans over there right now.

I just hope that some of them start coming back so that my 20 year reunion is ruined too!

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