On being a passionate South African expat

There seems to be an ongoing ubiquitous online ‘war of words’ about angry South African expats. We, the ‘expats’, sound like snot-nosed brats defiantly stomping our feet, trying to justify to those on the motherland as to why we left, why we may or may not return and why we still have every right to criticise South Africa when in reality, for the most part, we’re really just a passionate bunch who are concerned about the motherland.

At first glance, many of our country’s problems seem insurmountable. In 2012 we ranked 6th out of 132 countries on crime, 1st for people living with HIV/AIDS, 1st for rape, 11th for cost of living, 13th for education and 1st in emerging markets for unemployment and to date, approximately one quarter of our population is still out of work. The statistics paint a grim picture.

Many expats that I engage with say they feel powerless and that the numerous issues back home are “somebody else’s problems” and that “the politicians must sort it out”.

Instead of throwing tantrums about whether we do or don’t have a right to criticise our country’s leadership (or lack thereof), every single one of us should rather be asking ourselves “What am I actively doing to drive South Africa forward?”

Feeling powerless or empowered?

Here’s a little nugget of wisdom for you:

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

I am ‘Anybody’ and so are you. If your heart beats to the sound of the African drum, then it is not “somebody else’s problem” to fix our country so that one day you may decide to move back when crime is down, employment is up and poverty is a thing of the past. The future and sustainability of our South Africa’s precious democracy, economy and success lies squarely on OUR shoulders. Each and every single one of us, without exception.

We all know that our South Africa is incredibly diverse and overflows with aesthetic and cultural beauty. The tourism industry back home currently provides 1 in 8 jobs and long term, sustainable employment growth is the ONLY way for communities to break free from the poverty cycle. You do the math. You take responsibility for the future of South Africa. You be the ambassador. You encourage tourists to visit our beautiful country and by doing so, not only will you create jobs but YOU will create change.

Living and building the legacy

I’m sure that those of you who are parents only want the best for your children. For many of you, that means wanting to raise them with the standard of education and safety that many foreign countries offer BUT because you want the best of both worlds, you also want to raise your children the “South African way”.

Most of you will agree that this means seeing our kids run around carefree, kaalvoet (or kaalgat: weather permitting) and with a strong sense of respect, manners, a good work ethic and an inherent love for the great outdoors and our incredible wildlife. We work hard to instil a strong sense of patriotism in our children (even those who are born abroad) yet how can we teach this to our children when so often we, as adults, do not always remain true to this ideology with our own thoughts, words and actions? In the international corporate world we are generally well known for being hard workers and team players yet somehow when it comes to our South African teamwork we all fall apart.

Everybody is so busy being busy or rather, selfishly existing. So many South Africans I meet abroad say they are passionate or proud South Africans. I disagree. Wearing your Boks shirt, throwing some boerie on the braai, attempting to sing our national anthem (admit it, how many of you really know ALL the words?), eating biltong and screaming at the ref during a Saturday afternoon rugby match does not constitute being a passionate, proud South African. Embracing the spirit of Ubuntu by actively going above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference is what makes a person a true South African.

Some of you may be wondering why, if I am this passionate about South Africa, am I not already back on home soil? Simply put: not every passionate person abroad is in the position to return home although it is something I have my eyes set on. For the interim, I do something every day towards helping my fellow South Africans. Yes, really! Every. Single. Day.

Carpé Diem

If you’re reading this and thinking to yourself, “Yes, I do want to be a team player and drive Mzansi forward,” then consider a few ways you can get involved: from fundraising or volunteering for registered SA charities, helping South Africans in need in your current country of residence, educating others about Home Affairs issues that affect all of us expats at some point (from basic passport renewals to the new child travel and immigration laws to how to keep or what to do if you have lost your SA citizenship), to mention just a few.

If there’s an opportunity to make a difference in a fellow South African’s life, no matter how small, I urge you to grab it with both hands. If you’re looking for an opportunity then let me know!

When apartheid ended, I was too young to understand and appreciate the phenomenal change that our new democracy brought about and with so much negativity about the current challenges my country faces, I’m hell-bent on wanting to see positive change of epic proportions in my country during my adult lifetime. And no, I’m not living in my own little fantasy world wearing rose-tinted glasses. After spending my early twenties with the “SA is becoming another Zimbabwe” frame of mind, I simply chose to adopt the glass half full approach instead.

I’ve read hundreds of comments and debates on social media regarding expats and despite your difference of opinions, one thing is very clear: if you’re engaging with and commenting on anything South African related, you still carry some degree of concern or perhaps even a glimmer of hope in your heart about our beautiful homeland.

So, here’s my challenge to all you expats: what small thing can you do, today and every day, to help create the true rainbow nation South Africa we all dream of?

Top photo by Instagram.com/pranzzzz