Is it really that bad in SA?

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Whatzmyname

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We are getting our stuff in order to return to SA after working (not immigrating) overseas for 16 years. We own a home in Cape Town and we are ready to come back...Now last night my mom sends me a long email telling us we should really think long and hard if we want to return. She says people are breaking down buildings, starting fires so that everyone comes down to their level and basically ruin the whole country. She said crime is terrible,food getting very expensive,monthly medical payment is a joke and that just buying meat has almost become unaffordable for the average South African. She said life is very hard in SA and people feel trapped.
On a side note...my mom tends to exaggerate a lot so that is why I am asking this forum for another point of view...Is it still good in SA or are we making a mistake? :confused: My husband is worried now after reading the email as my mom rarely emails....
 
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We are in SA and love it, so make the most of it despite all the k@k going on. All your Mom said is pretty much spot on though.

On the flip side, if I was already settled outside SA, I would not return. The thought of packing up and moving elsewhere to start over is a bit daunting, but if I was already settled elsewhere - I would stay there.

My 2c.
 
Discounting the economic downturn which has hit all emerging markets, SA is better now than it has ever been. Still do your research before you make a big decision.
 
Hi - I think that your mom may be overstating the situation. Yes, SA has is share of problems, but there isn't any other place I'd rather live (and I have travelled quite extensively)

Good luck , whatever you decide
 
I would come back but not put down roots. Instead of buying a house, rent. Leave funds in UK. I would not invest heavily in a life here until things settle - if they ever do.
 
South Africa is circling the drain, and I can't see how it can possibly get better. Unemployment is high, the currency is worthless and falling, and the natives are restless thanks to the broken promises made be the government they elected, yet too dumb to vote the problem out (not that there is anyone they could vote in that could fix this place). It's only a matter of time before we reach zim levels.

If you've spent 16 years in the first world, building a life there, why the hell would you want to return to this ****hole.
 
Mike Smit said:
We are in SA and love it, so make the most of it despite all the k@k going on. All your Mom said is pretty much spot on though.

On the flip side, if I was already settled outside SA, I would not return. The thought of packing up and moving elsewhere to start over is a bit daunting, but if I was already settled elsewhere - I would stay there.

My 2c.
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We live in Dubai so we cant settle here as we can never have citizenship according to their laws. We are only allowed to live here whilst employed. If not employed they kick you out of the country pronto. No loyalty. Lol!
 
Tough decision, all the replies said are true though. Not as bad as your mom makes it out to be. You can still have a pretty decent life here. It remains the most beautiful country in the world.
 
Still maintain life is quite good here, esp in Cape Town.

Yes there are major issues but your mom is def overstating things

We have the ability to leave but we staying
 
I suspected it was Dubai - my cousins had a similar arrangement and came back here.

Your Mom sounds, forgive me, a tad dramatic, but that could be because she doesn't take change easily?

That said, I have mildly discouraged my own son from returning from England as I don't think his employment prospects are as good here, as he's White.
 
Whatzmyname said:
We live in Dubai so we cant settle here as we can never have citizenship according to their laws. We are only allowed to live here whilst employed. If not employed they kick you out of the country pronto. No loyalty. Lol!
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I love it. The country won't entertain free loaders so they remain wealthy.
 
Aquila ka Hecate said:
I suspected it was Dubai - my cousins had a similar arrangement and came back here.

Your Mom sounds, forgive me, a tad dramatic, but that could be because she doesn't take change easily?

That said, I have mildly discouraged my own son from returning from England as I don't think his employment prospects are as good here, as he's White.
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Yep I'm as white as you can get. I have never worked in SA either. I left after graduating from University as I was offered work in Dubai so I have literally spent my whole adult life away from SA....so totally clueless about SA nowadays. Its just a holiday destination for me...
 
Well to answer your question that completely depends what you want in life.

It is that bad if you want the following:
Running water, Electricity, Safety, Polite people, Any public service, Good schooling, Good universities

It is not so bad if you are willing to deal with the above in order to get:
Big house, Large garden, House servants, Rustic experience, Challenging business environment

So basically it depends what you are after, personally I couldn't handle the outright uselessness of people there, rudeness, incompetence, the language barrier, constantly getting double or triple utility bills (which you must pay and then contest over 6 months), hit and runs on the road, etc.

I was in Joburg though, other areas are far more civil. For me the negatives in SA far outweigh the positives but I know others who feel the opposite. It really is a personal preference thing. For me the main reason I left SA is that it gets worse everyday, you can actually see it deteriorating, where I live now is the opposite and to me that is more important.
 
Nike said:
Hi - I think that your mom may be overstating the situation. Yes, SA has is share of problems, but there isn't any other place I'd rather live (and I have travelled quite extensively)

Good luck , whatever you decide
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I agree with this.

It's not great here, but it's not as bad as your mother makes it out to be. I feel positive that we'll have change soon. Don't know why. I've never felt like it will get better before.

We just need people to stand together and fight for what is right for everyone and not just a select few.

Also #VoteForChange :p
 
SA is still great, the people, well majority of them, none in the National Assembly that is, they are all corrupt cowards who violated the constitution.

All points are fairly correct however and I definitely wouldnt come back. Im actually busy making plans to get to Canada.. sick and tired of the level of corruption here, granted it exists everywhere.. SAs corruption levels are breaking just about everything that works in this country.

I still love it though, and hold the thought that things may change and I dont have to leave, or if I left it would be for other reasons.
 
Well, we don't have terrorist attacks, we don't have natural disasters and we don't have intense NSA intimidation.

We have crime, that's about it
 
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