- Reader Reviews and reactions to media coverage about The Expat Confessions
- Stories & opinions from expats (who aren't featured in the book, but may be in the next...)
- Comments and confessions from 'stayers' who have never left South Africa
(warning: some opinons may offend)
- Useful Links - we've been inundated with requests for expat-type info so, at your service, here are some helpful links
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COMMENTS AND CONFESSIONS FROM 'STAYERS' WHO HAVE NEVER LEFT SOUTH AFRICA
Here are just some of the letters we have received from South Africans still living in South Africa. Many of them have not yet read The Expat Confessions, but are simply reacting to the 'should I stay or should I go' dilemma that seems to face many South Africans. Some letters are personal, some are obnoxious. Some are heartwarming and some are offensive. This is a topic that hits a raw nerve with many South Africans and their responses show it. We the authors do not share the views of all those expressed here, however we do respect an individual's right to freedom of speech. And we do believe there is a need for more dialogue. We hope our book, and this forum, will be a starting point.
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All that I can say to those who had, the sense, the money, the guts & determination to leave this lovely country of ours (don't know for how long it's going to be lovely before it's becoming a 2nd Zimbabwe), hold on "broer & suster... your child will have a better life in any country outside s.a.!!! Changes are not always easy and easy to accept but anything is better than being in s.a. I'm a s.a. white male, 32 years of age, and man let me tell you. Isn't this place a joke. To see how standards deteriorated since our wonderful new governments' mind set and believes, I mean... hey, see how some of your so called leaders pocket some money that previously if something like that happened they would have been locked up... Part of that money is actually mine as a loyal tax payer. This is now people that I have to trust running my country! ... Well, Mates... you don't have my trust at all. Mr President Mandela did one hell of a job but those that has taken over from him well... we cruising down the steam at about 300miles an hour to be like our neighbor country Zimbabwe... sad. Sad to see how countries deteriorate, and then you have a look at what and who is running it... I am ashamed to call myself a south african (as you can see I don't even spell this places' name with capital letters because that is how I feel). And they have us by our nickers... If I want to leave this country now, that I wouldn't think twice to do, I can only take +-R750 000 out of this land!!! I worked hard for this money of mine and if I have to get my money out of this place by braking the law I will. Everyone say it's because the lands economy will fall if more money is taken out, I say then it's the country's problem. If they didn't force people out of s.a. with their ludicrous mentality so many would have stayed... I say, south africans' leave!!! Leave while you can and while you have the money. Hopefully by doing this we will bring this country to a fall that will be sad but to show those in control doesn't matter how you want to run us over we will run and we will run you over!!! You might own the land but you will never own the people of this land!!!
Regards, "Sad To Call Myself A South African"
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My turn to be "brutally honest" - if I had half a chance - I'd be on the next plane out of here. I love my country and all the things that make it special......but what I can't stand is the "pre/post apartheid" chip that most, if not all, blacks carry on their shoulders. I'm sick of it. This whole apartheid regime "thing" gets ridden to the extreme. Whether they like it or not, there is a history to the country that cannot simply be changed by changing the name of a street, building or even re-writing the school history books!
And they STILL have an attitude the we "owe" them something. To hell with that. I was a white child growing up in the SAME "apartheid" era some of them did. Yes, I went to school and had privileges many didn't have, but my family was also poor and we lived very frugally-and why now expect me to pay the price by being ripped off left, right and centre by the government, SARS, you name it? I am now better off than my parents were and I work hard for what I have and for what I give my son. I expect him to do the same one day. When are they going to get over themselves and just get on with it? They don't want to work-everything must be handed out on a silver platter. We must still feel sorry for them. Not a chance. They wanted "equality," they got it-now deal with it. It makes you responsible, right? For yourself, the things you do/don't do with your life. Pay the price. The electricity rates, water rates, petrol prices, high food prices, general living expenses, school fees.......need I say more? Don't ask me anymore. But then why ask. If I don't give it to you, just steal it.
And the government? What a FINE example they are. Perhaps the last government weren't great either....but I'd have them back ANY day (and no, I definitely DID NOT help to vote the ANC into power). They're a bunch of murderers, crooks and liars. And it bothers them not that the very people that they promised to help, are the ones that they are now abusing and have put in a worse position than they were to start with. Many blacks that I have spoken to would rather have the old white government back---what does that say to you? And by the way, all the well educated black people that are now back in the country in high positions (you know, the ones with posh english accents, american accents)...where were they during "the struggle?" Well, the accents should tell you.
"The struggle" another irritating term. You'd think they were the only ones that struggled. PLEASE! Give me a break! Am I tired of all this? What do you think? I see no possible improvement in MY beloved country. It's going down the tubes beacuse it's overrun with criminals and is governed by criminals. (And they get away with everything!) I worry about my safety and my family's safety. I worry about my son's future. He has the wrong skin colour. Education means nothing. I wonder what filthy trick the government's going to pull next? What else we'll end up having to pay for to "equalize the imbalance...." You would think that in the 10 years since "democracy" the blacks would have actually made something of themselves. Funny-I was never brought up a racist..........I don't blame the ex-pats. They did what they felt needed to be done and I understand how they feel. It's a major thing to uproot onesself lock, stock and barel and move to a strange country without friends and family in tow.
And Why do I stay? Because my husband won't leave. But one day.........
S PEACE,
Johannesburg
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