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šæš¦ Missing South Africa, Always šæš¦
We left South Africa in 2018. Not because of the crime, as many might assumeābut because of the slow erosion of opportunity, the weight of corruption, and policies that made it harder to build a future based on merit. It was a painful decision, one that still echoes through our hearts.
I miss the smell of the bush after rain. I miss the warmth of people who greet you like family. I miss the wild beauty that no photo can truly capture. South Africa is stitched into my soul, and not a day goes by that I donāt feel its pull.
Leaving wasnāt about turning our backsāit was about survival, about trying to give our children a chance in a system that felt increasingly closed to us. But longing doesnāt care about logic. It just lingers.
We carry South Africa with us every day. In our stories, in our memories, in the way we raise our children to be resilient and kind. We didnāt leave because we stopped loving itāwe left because we had to.
This isnāt a political statement. Itās a love letter to the place that shaped me.
To those still there: we see your strength. To those whoāve left: we share your ache. And to South Africa: you are missed. Fiercely. Deeply. Always.
And maybeājust maybeāif destiny allows, going back home one day for retirement will be a blessing. To sit under familiar skies, hear the birds we grew up with, and feel the soil that raised usā¦ that would be a full-circle kind of peace.
ā As die lewe dit toelaat, sal ons weer onder die Afrika-son oud word. ā
(If life allows it, we will grow old under the African sun)
š¼ Photo of me and hubby in one of our many Bike Runs, Feb 2016.
š Hartebeespoort Dam wall, Pretoria - South Africa
#SouthAfricaInMyHeart #ExpatLife #HomesickButHopeful #RealStories #LeavingHome
We left South Africa in 2018. Not because of the crime, as many might assumeābut because of the slow erosion of opportunity, the weight of corruption, and policies that made it harder to build a future based on merit. It was a painful decision, one that still echoes through our hearts.
I miss the smell of the bush after rain. I miss the warmth of people who greet you like family. I miss the wild beauty that no photo can truly capture. South Africa is stitched into my soul, and not a day goes by that I donāt feel its pull.
Leaving wasnāt about turning our backsāit was about survival, about trying to give our children a chance in a system that felt increasingly closed to us. But longing doesnāt care about logic. It just lingers.
We carry South Africa with us every day. In our stories, in our memories, in the way we raise our children to be resilient and kind. We didnāt leave because we stopped loving itāwe left because we had to.
This isnāt a political statement. Itās a love letter to the place that shaped me.
To those still there: we see your strength. To those whoāve left: we share your ache. And to South Africa: you are missed. Fiercely. Deeply. Always.
And maybeājust maybeāif destiny allows, going back home one day for retirement will be a blessing. To sit under familiar skies, hear the birds we grew up with, and feel the soil that raised usā¦ that would be a full-circle kind of peace.
ā As die lewe dit toelaat, sal ons weer onder die Afrika-son oud word. ā
(If life allows it, we will grow old under the African sun)
š¼ Photo of me and hubby in one of our many Bike Runs, Feb 2016.
š Hartebeespoort Dam wall, Pretoria - South Africa
#SouthAfricaInMyHeart #ExpatLife #HomesickButHopeful #RealStories #LeavingHome
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