But the conversations seem to have changed over the last year or so, as more and more South Africans living abroad are considering or making the move back to the motherland. While many South Africans have emigrated and settled or are remaining abroad to acquire foreign passports, many are returning home.
Is it a result of the worldwide recession, the change in visa options for living abroad or perhaps a positive pull as World Cup excitement expands? Or maybe its just a natural cycle of life for South Africans living abroad to want to be close to family and friends or just missing sunshine and home.
While it is it is impossible to measure exact numbers who have returned in recent years as Home Affairs do not track this information and many people have dual citizenship, Brigitte Lightfoot of Homecoming Revolution says, “2009 has been one of our busiest years for returning South Africans and we expect this to continue in 2010 with the World Cup and the current global downturn. We get between 60 and 100 enquiries a month from people wanting to return and most of them come home with a partner or family. We see a similar picture from shipping companies, property agents and recruitment firms who confirm there has been an increase, particularly from the UK.”
SA PROMO spoke to a few South Africans who have moved back to SA in the last couple of years to find out if the grass is greener on the other side.
1. Linda Krige returned to Cape Town in 2009 after living in UK for two years.
2. Janine Hobdey returned to Johannesburg in 2008 after living in UK for just short of three years.
3. Samantha Beneke returned to Kwa-Zulu Natal in December 2009 after living in Australia and New Zealand for 19 months.
4. Bibette Thompson returned to Johannesburg in January 2007 after living in London for nearly three years.
5. Seema Dala returned to Cape Town in February 2007 after spending four years in San Francisco and London.
6. Annalise Janse van Rensburg returned to Johannesburg in September 2005 after two and a half years in London.
7. John Fick returned to Cape Town in February 2007 after two and a half years in San Jose and London.
8. Richard Britten-Kelly returned to Durban in June 2009 after 11 years in London.
Do you think more people have moved back recently?
Janine: People are worried about permanent employment. A lot of my friends lost their jobs and struggled to find something.
Samantha: I believe the recession has played a major role in this recent exodus, but I also think/hope that South Africans abroad are starting to believe in their country more and realise that leaving isn’t the answer to solving our country’s problems.
Bibette: Quite a few friends returned to South Africa, some due to visas running out or after obtaining UK passports. Quite a few decided consequently to return to the UK.
Annalise: Yes certainly. The recession is much worse in the first world countries and foreigners lose their
jobs first.
John: Yes. Lifestyle in SA is better and family.
Richard: Yes I know many people who have come back recently, especially those who have been away for a long time. I think you get to a stage in life when it’s a case of now or never. Perhaps the recession also has a role to play as people have lost their jobs.
Main reasons for moving back?
Linda: To have children and be closer to the family.
Janine: Visa expired. If I could get another visa to live in the UK I would, no procrastination. I absolutely loved it there.
Samantha: Wanted to begin a career in media, missed family and friends and was tired of listening to South African expats slate their home country.
Seema: Yes, it has to do with stage of life (people want to be close to their families when they have children) and work opportunities.
What have you noticed is different since you moved back?
Linda: People are more positive.
Janine: The fact that no one has money and hardly ever go out!
Samantha: People get along better, there seems to be growing mutual respect for each other that I am
grateful for.
Bibette: Initially after returning there was quite a negative vibe in the country – crime seemed to be on the up and the powers that be seemed uninterested in dealing with it. More recently though there seems to be a more positive attitude towards the country and its prospects.
Annelise: A lot more luxury vehicles on the roads! BEE in the workplace changed the way people/companies work (there is a lot of incompetence), but different cultures also learn to work together and have respect for each other’s culture.
John: Major renovations and infrastructure spend and foreign investment in the food and entertainment industries.
Richard: A lot has changed. There is much more racial integration and there’s been a huge amount of construction and development in most areas.
Seema: We are far more globalised than before, helped by the exposure SA has received in recent times and the positivity of the new generation that is shaping the cities. Young South Africans are here by choice, they have traveled freely and can do so again, and therefore are not resentful about the place in which they live.
Are you attending more farewell parties than birthday parties? Have you noticed that more people returning to SA? Email editor@sapromo.com with your thoughts.