The Homecoming | Expats returning to Mzansi

Since 2009, a reported 350,000 to 400,000 South Africans have chosen to come back to Mzansi, despite all its social, political and economic problems. What could be the reason? Here’s what eNCA contributor Mpho Lakaje found. Courtesy #DStv403

[msizinkosi]

I live in Joburg, I have never lived outside the country except when i'm on holiday. I remember this one time i was out the country for almost 2 weeks, when i came back and that plane landed at O.R Tambo i had this incredible feeling of just being home, then you step out the plane and start hearing the local accent, the familiarity of it all, there is no other feeling like it i promise you. Just hearing an eita or a hola or a howzit oh man, its a simple greeting that's part of your DNA, it touches your soul 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[top-notch-tech]

How nice of Eskom to give them a warm welcome home with Stage 5 load shedding.

[anilenk]

I worked overseas, also got married during this time - for a total of 20 years. We lived in about 7 countries. The grass always looks greener on the other side but believe me, challenges can be just as hard or harder than here in SA. We came back 8 yrs ago and adjusted well. My husband is not a SA-can but obtained permanent residence status. He talks about SA as his country and feels more at home here than anywhere else. He has British, Austrian, and Israeli citizenship yet prefers SA. In SA people are more friendly and hospitable, yes, we have our bad spots in every culture group, but people are generally more accepting and warm.

[proudlysa]

There's no place like home.I left SA in 2003, came back in 2017.Best decision ever.
We have so many challenges in SA but I love it here

[angiehoosen]

My husband and I lived in the Middle East, China & South East Asia for 6 years.I worked as a teacher with a fantastic salary. Even though I lived a grand lifestyle but it was not home.My heart was still here in SA . Covid was my deciding factor to return home to be with my family . SA is a wonderful country .. the government needs to get it's act together so that more people will want to stay, especially the younger generation.

[trustingnobody]

A South African is always a South African. You are all welcome home good people. Enjoy. May God Almighty always bless our country. Hi baby! You back home. Oh! You are welcome little ones.

[mahenjugmohun]

Welcome back. Let us build and grow S.A together.

[germaineludik]

If it wasn't for the crime and corruption, South Africa would probably be one of the richest countries in the world, both in assets but also in culture and diversity. I love my country and have left twice because of financial reasons but as soon as I can, I am determined to return. There is no other place like it in the world. South Africans need to unite to remove the corruption so it can finally thrive and prosper like it was meant to do after 1994

[charlenejulius]

I have two brothers living abroad and they loving it. So it's for some and not for others

[alicegauteng]

I am a PROUD South African living in Canada, and I miss home. I am SICK AND TIRED of snow, cold, dull people, and bland food. I will always be a Sowetan by heart. I am just waiting for my child to graduate, universiry, then Mzansi here I come❤🇿🇦❤🇿🇦❤🇿🇦

[marigoldbeam]

A truth that people have omitted to mention is the absence of cheap domestic labour abroad to allow people to continue to maintain lifestyles of minor royalty. Full time maids, nannies, gardeners, drivers etc are the preserve of the very wealthy abroad. You have to look after your own children, tend your own garden, clean your own house, wash and iron your own clothes or pay reasonably for someone else to do so. The perennially pampered and lazy cannot cope, particularly if they are balancing that with full time work or running a business.

[madodasimelane]

Welcome 🤗 back all whose coming back home 🇿🇦

[ntetesemela]

Welcome back home brothers and sisters. South Africa is our HOME ad and we can build this country together instead of staying away. I came back from the States after I ve been there for more than twelve years. Yes, we have problems but we can't wait for someone from outside to come here and solve our problem s. My prayer is that we all hold hands as South Africans to build this country which is becoming ruines. THIS IS OUR LAND AND HOME. May God bless you with health.✌️🇿🇦 Amen

[lig]

I left SA to get married... The grass is not always greener and believe me NZ is far from perfect. If I had a home to come to in Joburg and a way of supporting myself, Id come home. Ive been away more than 20 years and I still think of SA as my home and love my country!!! There are a lot of South Africans leaving here for home and have already left.

[namra]

I am a Namibian living in the UK, and I can not relate to other Africans missing home. Namibia is a great country and I initially left to do my masters ( which is one year in the UK rather than the two years in Namibia). But I have stayed on after my studies, and honestly, I am not home sick, I can also easily go back home and not miss life in UK either. I think the fact that I left my hometown at the age of 6 and have since lived in 6 different places in Namibia made me how I am. I am a drifter, never truly attached to one place, never too sad to leave people behind.

[rajgovender]

I've been out of SA for 17 years now, living in Sydney. I miss home and the ppl but there's also so much more here that I enjoy. My kids were born here so I can't imagine them living in SA. The crime and lack of freedom is not worth it for us. Cost of living is very high but the standard of living is worth every cent. My heart still lies in SA but peace of mind keeps me here. Here's an expat always rooting for SA to get better.

[nonozulu]

South Africa is beautiful man. I miss home, I'm coming home man end of next year.

[supernova]

SA is blessed and beyond. Its the cradle of human kind and everyone feels at home.

You only realise how blessed SA is when you get to hear how foreigners talk about it.
May God give the leaders wisdom and dedication and eliminate corruption, evil, proverty and unemployment in Jesus name, amen.
❤❤❤❤

[ginalolli]

I've been living in Europe for around 15 years. As soon as I can, I want to return to SA.

[olivelight]

They made their money overseas and can start life again on the right foot ... something which is very difficult for most south africans