SA Rocks

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.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Following on from my confession I have decided (after much debate/discussion with myself) to publish the following post by Jason Von Berg.

Here goes:

Hi Nic and the rest of the SA rocks readers,

It might sound very cliché and overdone but I will begin like this: I really am a proud South African. I love living here. I’ve been lucky enough to do a bit of traveling in my 23 years and barring New York City, this is the place I want to be.

However lately I have been questioning all of the above in light of what is going on. Today I am particularly worried. I feel helpless and to an extent I feel it may be time to start looking into moving- out of SA. Some of the issues I worry immensely about include:

1. Our next president. I don’t profess to be an expert in politics but looking forward and seeing what Jacob Zuma faces in terms of charges this August, I can’t help but wonder how good a president he will be. Leading by example… that is a problem in my eyes. Is he the best of a really bad bunch? Many things about him and his lifestyle I don’t agree with.

Former boxing champ and convicted rapist Mike Tyson is on his way to South Africa to raise money for charity at a massive gala event next week. A CONVICTED RAPIST allowed into South Africa when we have rape stats like ours. This sounds like a game show: For one million rand, the final question for you is: “Who will be making a speech at this special gala event?” The answer? The acquitted of rape man, alleged corrupt fraudster and possible future president of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma.

2. An 18year old goes on a shooting spree in the Northwest in an apparent racially motivated incident. WOW this is scary.

3. Mr Jackie Selebi- our National Police Commissioner. Can they actually charge him already… the man clearly isn’t all that innocent.

4. The complacency of the man who runs this country aka Mr Thabo Mbeki, who is now currently is Zimbabwe. Just earlier “Good progress is being made with relations between the Zanu PF and the MDC” Great, thanks Thabs, who actual cares!? Does he have something to hide? Why is being so quiet?

5. LOAD-SHEDDING. This really is getting me down. We are all, as a basic human right, entitled to electricity and clean water. Water is fine – for now. Electricity on the other hand, well… This load shedding is killing me. I understand that there are less fortunate people than me, and if this is how I feel then I can only imagine how they feel. It took me over an hour to get to work this morning, fighting against lights that are out and stupid taxi drivers (who have no consideration for anyone else but themselves).

I don’t think it’s right for us to sit back and accept this. It’s bullshit, but then what do I do… I have no power (pardon the pun) to change this, and well unless there is a massive uprising, where people turn around and say enough is enough, then what?

I hate being the voice of doom, but at the same time I just can’t help but think about moving. I am still young, but eventually I want to have kids and I want them to be brought up here. Your knowledge through education of the world is so much greater than in other countries. I am an ambitious person, I have goals that I really want to achieve, but if I’m forced to live in a place that is being run by alleged corrupt officials and children can’t learn at school then in actual fact I’ll have no choice. I try very hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel (if you’ll pardon the pun again). I look at the wonderful highveld sunsets. I listen to my favourite radio djs every day and know that I wouldn’t get the same quality abroad and I think back to my summer holiday down in the Eastern Cape, the beach, the sea, the good holiday vibes from everyone down there and well I see why I love this place. Please give me some reassurance that things will get better.

Thanks for listening/reading.

Let me explain why I have published this post. Many people criticise me for being ignorant, blind and stupid about SA. I am not, nor is Jason and nor is anyone else in SA with half a brain. But as I have said a million times over, I choose to stay.

I choose to stay because I feel I owe SA something. I feel I can make a difference and I feel that for my own personal mental contentment I must do what I can. So I do.

Popularity: 4% [?]