We went to a restaurant on the edge of the ‘cliff’ at Amanzimtoti on Sunday for a lunch as a farewell to yet another friend and family emigrating from South Africa. This one is not Packing for Perth but will be Unpacking in UK.
I suppose it is not surprising with the floods of bad news flowing out of so many South African sectors that a veritable stampede has been set in motion. The official stats. have no idea, because most simply fold their tents like the Arabs and (as) silently steal away (as Longfellow wrote).
The agency dealing with our friends had some surprising and shocking information: an increasing number of the cream of South African black professionals are also following this course. In fact, even more of them than the disillusioned whites, so they say. That speaks volumes
The dirt that has been emerging lately from enquiries into matters such as State Capture has been filthy indeed. Of course, the admission by key whistle-blowing witness Angelo Agrizzi that he is a racist, following the playing of a recording where he used the so-demonised ‘K’ word, has been seized upon and made into more of a fuss than the shocking disclosures of massive corruption. At least Judge Zondo had the sense to declare that the attitude, whether regrettable or actionable or not, has no effect on the facts disclosed.
It has become utterly ludicrous that incidents of racism — white on black, mind — have come to be regarded as being of greater shock value than despicable crimes of bribery and corruption. Of course, the accused are seizing on the race card as a means towards discrediting the testimony with its facts and figures. Presumably, had the conversation referred to the people concerned as rotten, low-down, verminous crooks, no outrage would have arisen. Look at what Trumpy Wumpitty is called daily.
I love South Africa and most of its peoples, but with the rubbish going on here, were I to win a respectable sum of money I would be out of here faster than the eye could follow.
We left almost 30 years ago. I am nostalgic, but realize that the SA I miss is gone. I worry about my family left behind though.
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You worry with good reason, unfortunately.
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So infuriating. Horrible situation there. Fingers crossed you find that gold at the end of the rainbow.
Our “news” is full of gossip about celebrities ranting, slanted this way or that political nonsense, and silly shallow stories…I mean puppies around the world are cute and smilie news, but what of the real stories of real events of what is happening in other countries? Only mind dulling dribble being shown to the masses.
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Idiots wherever one looks.
Pity it is unfashionable to have loads of Pollyanna stories — or, wouldn’t it be nice if human behavior became as such that this is all one had left to report!
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I didn’t know how frustrating is the situation in South Africa. My best wishes to you.
PS: I liked your photos.
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Frustrating and infuriating, indeed.
Thank you!
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Sometimes the sanest, and safest, thing to do is leave the sinking ship, not rearrange the deckchairs. May you land that windfall, sooner rather than later.
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The deckchairs washed overboard a long time ago.
Thanks!
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Forgot to say what a cute photo of little C that is. 😍
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Jeneva is a pro at looking cute since her tot modelling days!
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Sorry I got her initial wrong. My memory obviously isn’t as good as I thought it was. 😯
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Your memory was all at C? 🙂
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👏🏻🤣
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I’ve often wondered why you stay. May you have a windfall soon.
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I cannot imagine how it must be hurting you Lesley; and knowing that there is nothing you can do to stop the rot
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How sad!
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I’m glad we left when we did, but I have to admit that I miss so much about South Africa; only the good things of course.
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It is great if one can afford to visit from a saner environment, and push off as soon as the joke wears thin.
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I would hardly call the US a ‘saner environment’ at the moment. Maybe once this self-absorbed lunatic is out of office. 😯
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True, true. Preferably out of existence, which with his excesses might be soon.
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The good things are being eroded fast. Can you believe Greyville Racecourse now a container park?
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Aargh!! 😱
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It is such a pity. South Africa is a beautiful country but unfortunately it is not being well-run.
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That is a simply MASSIVE understatement! As I said in one rather bitter Really Awful Rhyme, it is being run into the ground.
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That is part of the reason why we left. So many skilled people have left the country and we wanted more for our children. Luckily enough we were able to see it through.
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I’m sorry we didn’t go while the going was still good, as did some of my cousins.
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Sorry to hear and my concern for your situation has steadily grown in the past few years.
At some point, it might no longer be a matter of money but of safety and survival.
Best of luck on that influx of money.
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If everyone with British origins could leave tomorrow, England would develop a tilt!
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