The Lure of the Beloved Country

There is no doubt I think about South Africa daily, but this last Saturday, whilst watching the rugby in a local pub, I can honestly say I did not have a deep longing to return. My first year in a new country is almost up, and it gets better. Financially, it is slower to get established perhaps, but on the whole, when I speak to other South Africans, there is no desire to move back. Perhaps some of you expats can weigh in on this discussion, but I disagree that South Africans are moving back en masse.

South African expats are heading home — and those on the verge of emigrating are putting their plans on hold.

Blue skies and sunshine are the main drawcards for people returning, while the global recession has made many would-be emigrés realise there is no place like home — at least for now.

An emigration survey of 600 South Africans over 18 from across the country has revealed that:

Climate tops the list of reasons to return;

Crime and corruption tops the list of reasons to leave;

Just over half of South Africans say they’ll never leave;

Only 18% are keen to go; and

Half those leaving say they’ll probably return.

Said Charlotte Jackson, managing director of Synovate, which conducted the research: “There was certainly no shortage of reasons to love our country.”

Other than climate, people wanted to be back home with family and friends.

One-fifth cited their love for South African people as a primary reason to stay, while 19% were attracted to nature and wildlife. Freedom and diversity of cultures in SA also appealed.

Although there was no significant drop in South Africans who would like to emigrate — down to 18% from 20% in 2008 — the number of those who had no intention of ever leaving went from 47% to 53%.

“A very definite positive is the fact that there has been an increase in the number of South Africans who stated they had no intention of leaving the country,” said Jackson.

Of those leaving, more than 80% cited crime, violence and corruption as the main reason — a huge increase from 55% last year. More women than men named crime as the main push to leave; men were primarily motivated by better job opportunities abroad.

But the survey showed the global recession was delaying the plans of more than half of those preparing to leave.

“This certainly gives the new SA government a chance to address some of the push factors contributing to South African emigration plans — crime for example,” said Jackson.

Those between 18 and 24 showed the highest likelihood of emigrating (30%), while those aged 55 to 64 were least likely to uproot themselves (9%).

Expat Gareth Knight, who spent more than seven years working in the UK, will return to Johannesburg permanently later this year.

After a holiday in SA last week, he realised how much he’d missed the “incredible” attitudes and values in SA and the “brilliant” weather. He felt “a strong sense of belonging” in SA which inspired him to return.

“What I’ve realised is that the best things that South Africans import are South Africans themselves... the people here have a very good work ethic and are reliable. I’d rather work with those kind of people than with cultures I don’t understand,” said Knight.

Leon Isaacson, head of a specialist migration company assisting South Africans with UK and US visas, said people were waiting until “things get better”.

Ray Welthagen, head of a migration agency based in Johannesburg, said they’d noted a significant decline in the number of people applying to move abroad.

“People are concerned; money is very tight. However the level of interest has remained the same,” said Welthagen.

Martine Schaffer, managing director of Homecoming Revolution, a non-profit organisation aimed at reversing the brain drain, said: “We are definitely seeing a significant increase of people returning to SA.

“I think next year is going to be difficult anywhere in the world, so it is best to be home in SA — whether it is returning to your home or staying at home in a familiar environment and with a network and business that you understand.”

She said the depressed global economy was a strong factor influencing people to return home.

“During tough and difficult times, people re-evaluate their lives. This (SA) is where they see opportunity and it’s certainly what is bringing them back.”

After 22 years in Los Angeles, Shawn Janet, 44, returned home last month. He said he had felt “incomplete” being away from his country.

“I felt a spiritual connection to SA, the people, the food, the progressiveness of the society, the constitution,” said Janet.

Source: The Times