Hi there Judith
My heart goes out to you with regards to the news about your mom.
Your post has such truth in all you have said.
I was born and breed SA moved to UK 14 years ago, just after I got married. My hubby is Scottish, his family left Scotland in the 70s (5yr old) he grew up in SA (schooled, army etc). We moved here in our mid 20's. We have done well living in Scotland. Set up our own subcontracting business 7 years now. We have a comfortable life, two kids (11 and 7), BUT we both feel there is something missing... Over the past 4 years especially winter we would yearn to move back to SA. But now its happening in the summer. We have tried to ignore it but it keeps rearing its head (MOVE BACK TO SA)??? My hubby is a Scotsman and feels SA is still Home???? Living here he has never lost his SA values (braais boereworse in the SNOW).
We would question every time the pros and cons of moving back-- Work opportunity, Schooling for the kids their future etc oh and also Crime.
The crime is in SA but its also everywhere in the world!
Whats before you wont go past you!
Thats why I believe some people have experienced crime in SA and others not! Even the UK has Crime (murders, justlast night on the news a man murdered his wife and buried her under the floorboards---sounds like a horror movie), that took place in a village nearby. Life is what you make it we believe, we have a business because of our SA ethics (n boer maak n plan).
Its sad to read how you got through uni only to find that the dol would accept you :-( that is so true!
The UK is not out of recession. People are also struggling. As for school, I know private schooling is extortionate in SA , but there are still good government school. If you apply yourself at any school in the world you will reap the rewards.
Im not going to go on and on about all the ideas that go round and round in my head. Probably upset someone like SNOOPDOG777. British ethics : BLAME SOMELSE FOR ALL THEIR FAULTS NEVER MIND FINDING A FAIR SOLUTION! BLAME CULTURE!
If the heart strings pull back to SA then thats the place to be!
SA is always going to be home to me, the culture heritage, sports outdoor living but most of all the rainbow nations enthusiasm and sense of humour. Didn't it just shine through watching the soccer world cup. Oh that made me sooooo home sick. There is no better medicine than SUNSHINE !
I wish you every success in finding your way back to SA. If you can invest in property in UK that will give you a good starting block when you move back.
We have decided to go on holiday in Dec 2011 and see what SA has to offer and make contact with ex employers + contact we have . Who knows "whats before you wont go past you"!
Thank you for telling it like it is in the UK Judith!
All the best and I hope you keep us updated on your move back to SA .
Leanne