I've noticed that there are certain groups of people back in old SA that basically hate our guts for leaving. As if SA needs more hate...
Leaving SA isn't easy, especially if it is for good. The fact remains, when someone left his / her country of birth, which they love, they must have had a reason to do so. To judge someone, without knowing what let them reach that choice is pretty immature and stupid.
Granted, there are scores of white South Africans that left purely on racial grounds. Good riddance for SA, bad for the places they are staying know. However if you are still under perception it is only white people leaving SA, you'll be sadly surprised.
The fact is more and more educated South Africans of all races find it hard to make ends meet in SA. When more than a third of your work forcé are unemployed, they need to do something...
I purely left because of a better work opportunity. I was reaching a stage in my professional career where affirmative action was stopping me from progressing. Although I understand the economic need for affirmative action and redistribution of income, I need to feed myself and my family and wasn’t going to "take one for the team." Why should I, whom had no say in the previous apartheid regime, suffer for the sins of my forefathers? I wasn’t ready to live a life of poverty and constant struggling for the "greater good."
I was also constantly concerned about safety in SA. You all know how it is. Yes, people say, "we should work together to make the country a better place." I agree, we should, but it doesn’t seem the criminals care to much about that sentiment.
I got a good job opportunity in the Middle East with very decent pay. I live in a country where crime is very little.
So if someone want to hate me for providing for my family financial and physical security, I’m sorry to say, "You are a moron."
Leaving SA isn't easy, especially if it is for good. The fact remains, when someone left his / her country of birth, which they love, they must have had a reason to do so. To judge someone, without knowing what let them reach that choice is pretty immature and stupid.
Granted, there are scores of white South Africans that left purely on racial grounds. Good riddance for SA, bad for the places they are staying know. However if you are still under perception it is only white people leaving SA, you'll be sadly surprised.
The fact is more and more educated South Africans of all races find it hard to make ends meet in SA. When more than a third of your work forcé are unemployed, they need to do something...
I purely left because of a better work opportunity. I was reaching a stage in my professional career where affirmative action was stopping me from progressing. Although I understand the economic need for affirmative action and redistribution of income, I need to feed myself and my family and wasn’t going to "take one for the team." Why should I, whom had no say in the previous apartheid regime, suffer for the sins of my forefathers? I wasn’t ready to live a life of poverty and constant struggling for the "greater good."
I was also constantly concerned about safety in SA. You all know how it is. Yes, people say, "we should work together to make the country a better place." I agree, we should, but it doesn’t seem the criminals care to much about that sentiment.
I got a good job opportunity in the Middle East with very decent pay. I live in a country where crime is very little.
So if someone want to hate me for providing for my family financial and physical security, I’m sorry to say, "You are a moron."
13 comments:
I agree. I have been in Holland for 7 years now, and still feel guilty about leaving.
I think I left for the right reason. Adventure.
Ahhh, let's not forget adventure! I've been away 6 years. I go visit every 18 monyhs or so. :)
Spot on. I hate it when people judge me without looking at who I am, where I come from and what I have done. I am proudly South African - hell, I even led the task team that set that up. I worked for COSATU. I worked (and work) on African issues and people still want to judge me? I have a two worded sentence for them... And my question back to them is - "What have you done for South Africa and Africa?" Sitting at home and bitching isn't an answer. The world is our oyster. Let's go and take over the world and make it one big South Africa.
(Oh, thanks for the link. I made a link back.)
Agree with your sentiments. Keep travelling and stay well.
Luckily I haven't experienced the anger but I do try to not speak too much about what I'm up to with friends back home. For some of them the opportunity to go work overseas is slim to nothing and it just makes them feel more trapped.
You never stop being a south african...ever!
Angry African, yeah, I think many of "those people" should see a little of the world also.
Mark, thanks, I will.
Miss T - Very true. There are a few of my friends that wants to go badly.
Yes, I left for the money: I'm getting my SA salary x 2.7, so it's of huge help in paying off long-term debt and trying to start saving. We're not getting any younger. Plus the professional exposure and experience. So I say if you get the chance, jump at it with both hands and feet. At the end of the day, you have to look after your own future. The SA govt certainly won't.
SA Expats - Gerhard. Then you money is also tax free in the UAE which is a bonus.
People who feel stuck in South africa are scared and feel abandoned so they lash out at those who left. Its tough either way, staying, or starting all over again. We need to be kinder to people.
Blog is providing information about South Africa. SA is clean and safe for the expat. crime is very little in SA.
Dude,
nobody judges you back home. Get of your soap box: We've got more important issues to deal with. Hope you learn some English wherever you've gone to - Leaving South Africa ISN'T easy.
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