Written By Brigitte
I lived in the UK for 6 years and moved back to SA about 5 months ago. Before I left England I was quite apprehensive about coming home, the usual concerns of crime, corruption, not being able to travel so easily, not earning a strong currency, finding a job etc etc. I have been overwhelmed at how easy it has been to settle back in and I honestly feel like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
Of course there have been a couple of wobblies along the way but overall I have had no problem finding a great job, a place to stay and reconnecting with old friends. It’s wonderful being close to family again, waking up to blue skies and sunshine every day and just enjoying the rich and diverse cultures of the South African people.
In my personal experience the crime is not nearly as bad as it’s made out to be. Living in the UK you are bombarded with negative press about SA and I can see now that my perception of SA 5 months ago was completely skewed by the media.
Being back has given me the chance to make an informed decision for myself instead of being pulled in all different directions. Yes there are problems but I want to be a part of the solution instead of moaning about it from afar and expecting other people to fix it before coming home.
The irony is that often you have to leave SA to really appreciate what you had in the first place. Everyday I am amazed at the courage, kindness and tireless spirit of South Africa’s people. There is an amazing energy here which I never experienced in the UK and although I have never been to Australia, from what I hear from friends it’s very one dimensional.
I know there are many people who have left South Africa for good and I completely respect their decision to do so. What I do find odd is that some of those people are so compelled to attack anything positive about SA, they spend so much time and energy on being negative and I wonder why they don’t pour that same time and energy into doing something good for their new country of choice.
Every single day for the past 5 months I have had an inspiring experience so say what you will but for me being home can’t be beat!
3 comments:
"........Living in the UK you are bombarded with negative press about SA ............"
What utter rubbish.
We are not bombarded with negative press about SA.
For what its worth SA hardly ever comes up on Brit TV.
Now and again there might be some newsworthy issue but thats very seldom and it doesn't rate as headline topping.
".........Yes there are problems but I want to be a part of the solution........."
If you are white in SA you will never be part of the solution, just part of the problem.
".............Everyday I am amazed at the courage, kindness and tireless spirit of South Africa’s people..........."
As though that is unique to SA. Why do South Africans specifically need courage? Is there something we should know about?
"................I have never been to Australia, from what I hear from friends it’s very one dimensional."
And which dimension would that be?
We all live in a 3 dimensional world - as far as science can establish.
"............What I do find odd is that some of those people are so compelled to attack anything positive about SA, they spend so much time and energy on being negative and I wonder why they don’t pour that same time and energy into doing something good for their new country of choice........."
It would probably take us all of 2 minutes to attack everything positive about SA if we wanted to. Which I don't. So, we clearly don't spend too much time and energy doing this.
Instead I pour all my time and energy into being part of the positive aspects of my new country, which it seems attracts a lot of negativity from the local dimwit who hosts this blog.
"........Living in the UK you are bombarded with negative press about SA ............"
What utter rubbish.
We are not bombarded with negative press about SA.
For what its worth SA hardly ever comes up on Brit TV.
Now and again there might be some newsworthy issue but thats very seldom and it doesn't rate as headline topping.
".........Yes there are problems but I want to be a part of the solution........."
If you are white in SA you will never be part of the solution, just part of the problem.
".............Everyday I am amazed at the courage, kindness and tireless spirit of South Africa’s people..........."
As though that is unique to SA. Why do South Africans specifically need courage? Is there something we should know about?
"................I have never been to Australia, from what I hear from friends it’s very one dimensional."
And which dimension would that be?
We all live in a 3 dimensional world - as far as science can establish.
"............What I do find odd is that some of those people are so compelled to attack anything positive about SA, they spend so much time and energy on being negative and I wonder why they don’t pour that same time and energy into doing something good for their new country of choice........."
It would probably take us all of 2 minutes to attack everything positive about SA if we wanted to. Which I don't. So, we clearly don't spend too much time and energy doing this.
Instead I pour all my time and energy into being part of the positive aspects of my new country, which it seems attracts a lot of negativity from the local dimwit who hosts this blog.
What utter rubbish.
We are not bombarded with negative press about SA.
For what its worth SA hardly ever comes up on Brit TV.
Now and again there might be some newsworthy issue but thats very seldom and it doesn't rate as headline topping.
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Oh please. If you look for press on S.A all you will find is utter neurotic hyperbole that totally misrepresents the average experience of the common man into something horrible.
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If you are white in SA you will never be part of the solution, just part of the problem.
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What a silly little man. I'm so glad you emmigrated. Please don't come back.
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".............Everyday I am amazed at the courage, kindness and tireless spirit of South Africa’s people..........."
As though that is unique to SA. Why do South Africans specifically need courage? Is there something we should know about?
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It's very unique and special. Hell and heaven are never far away in this wonderful country. But you run allong and drown yourself in the bland nothingness the Uk offers. Take my blessing.
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"................I have never been to Australia, from what I hear from friends it’s very one dimensional."
And which dimension would that be?
We all live in a 3 dimensional world - as far as science can establish.
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Oops ...brain fart. According to the latest physics we likely live in a 11 dimensional space time. No points for trying...no certificate for entry, just an F for fail.
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"............What I do find odd is that some of those people are so compelled to attack anything positive about SA, they spend so much time and energy on being negative and I wonder why they don’t pour that same time and energy into doing something good for their new country of choice........."
It would probably take us all of 2 minutes to attack everything positive about SA if we wanted to. Which I don't. So, we clearly don't spend too much time and energy doing this.
Instead I pour all my time and energy into being part of the positive aspects of my new country, which it seems attracts a lot of negativity from the local dimwit who hosts this blog.
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Dimwit ? Get a dictionary out because you seem to have made a rather humiliating blunder. I think the word you are looking for is "uber mensch"....or perhaps "wonderkind"....or at the very least "genius".
2 minutes to attack anything positive about S.A ? Why then is it the number one gap year destination for brits and the number 3 country they emmigrate to ? Why then is one so hard stretced to find a saffer whose returned from the Uk with anything positive to say about that hell hole (myself included) ?
Please....if it helps you sleep at night coo yourself to sleep with lullabies of denial. But you're not fooling anyone you muppet. Like I said...thank god you fucked off. Now just be sure you stay fucked off.
Peace and love
Rooster
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