Over the past 20 years, hundreds of thousands of people, and by some estimations, more than a million people have been leaving South Africa and settling in other countries.
Some might say, “So what? People have migrated for thousands of years and will continue to do so in the future!”
The thing is, South Africa’s emigration rate has been higher than what can be described as “normal migration” and there has been significant concern over the so-called “brain drain” – skilled people leaving.
Given the audience of this website, many of the readers of this blog fall into the category of people who have left South Africa in recent years to build a new life in another country, including the United States.
Ever wondered why? What are expats’ main reasons for leaving South Africa?
To all of you South African expats who have permanently settled elsewhere, I ask this… (Pick up to 2 answers, but if you have only one reason, pick only one.)
Loading ...Vote in the poll and leave your comments below…
Stumbled on this site; left SA 20 years ago.
Best decision ever.
Go back about every 4 years for family visits.
What a shit-hole the place has turned into, run by a troupe of baboons.
Nothing works there anymore, World Cup or not.
Cannot agree more. Returned to Sydney Australia on Sunday. The crime and corruption is escalating by the day. I go there every 2 years and you can see the deterioration – big scale! Gautrain the only futuristic thing they have…when it works and the electrical cables are not stolen!
Could you put your real name and photo here so we can show your employer and community the kind of comments you post online.
By a troupe of baboons, you’re referring to the black government right? And in saying this you are are making a blatent racist statement
Trust me guy, SA is happy to see the back of people like you.
Too bad the US had to pick up another one but I guess you fit right in with current administration
Here’s a history lesson for you and all the other white South Africans making an embarrassment of themselves on these forums.
No. 1
You’re white, which means you started with an unfair advantage in SA
No 2
You think your problems are bad? You think your old neighborhood is bad. You think things have gone downhill for you?
Have you lived in corrugated iron shack before without running water or toilets? No I didn’t think so. Now imagine your mom and grandmother living like that
Unbearable thought hey. Now just remember as you read this, someone’s grandmother is living in a shack in SA
Did you do anything to help with this problem before the ANC? No you didn’t. Are you doing anything now? No you aren’t
No. 3
South Africa was never safe, with perfect everything. It was always messed up and unsafe in black areas
It came into the white areas and all of a sudden everyone freeks out
No 4
Shit hole? You Are just as much to blame for that state. You, your mommy and daddy, grandpa and grandma. Yes all of you who voted for segregation. You who run away rather then help clean up the mess that all of that created.
Don’t worry. The rest of us will stay and make things work as best again so that when you come back on your trip, you have vineyards, restaurants, car rentals, an airport etc
Now you and everyone else who commented negatively about SA, dismount you white privilege high horse and come back to reality
I still love South Africa and feel very homesick when I see beautiful photos or hear an old SA song. I miss the simpler life and the moral values. I would love to go back, but its out of the question.
I am pessimistic about the future of the country and crime is way out of hand. I hope things get better.
I’m here now 31 years old… And I been wanting to leave for the past 6 years and now it has come to the push and point of doing what I wanna. I’m afraid of having a family here in SA
No future here and everything is getting run in to the ground and taxes fuel toll roads I’m sorry I can not any more here. I do love south africa but its starting like zimbabwe! regards WESTLEY south JHB Rosettenville
If I see another expat complaining about South Africa, I will gladly put him in his place. This is stupid and ridiculous. The violence is a result of hate that hate created. Most of the people who complain about the crime were content living under apartheid and just left because they wanted to bring back apartheid Nazism. Any country going through change will have a period of instability. Russia is still trying to recoup after the fall of Communism. Germany received foreign aid to rebuild itself after the War. So many of these South Africans sound like cowards who want a reason to justify apartheid.
Very nice, Jason… open up with a threat!
This particular poll was about asking people why they left South Africa. Very few people leave a country if they are happy with it. So, by the nature of the question, the answers were going to be about negative things.
South Africans, including expats, don't want to bring apartheid back, as you say. In case you don't know, in 1992 there was a nation-wide whites-only referendum in South Africa where the overwhelming majority of votes were in favor of ending apartheid and reforming the country. Many expats were still living there back then. So to say that expats want to bring apartheid back, is simply ludicrous and ill-informed. People want a fair, safe South Africa where everyone has an equal shot. That's what the 1992 referendum said.
About instability in changing countries, some countries remain unstable and are eventually run into the ground. Zimbabwe got their "freedom", but Mugabe raped and pillaged the land for his own personal gain, leaving many Zimbabweans so destitute that they take their chances against crocodiles while swimming across the Limpopo to make their way to South Africa. If something is wrong in a country, its citizens have a right to speak up.
well said, John. Although I have to say, South Africa is very tempting as a destination because they have such gorgeous scenery and great weather without the enormous price tag of a home in say Southern California, which is the closest comparison I can think of.
South Africa has too much crime at least 71% bad I think. South Africa has very good education but there’s a lot of shooting here. I do not like this country at all. People litter too much here.The vuvuzala is too noisy. I am very disappointed in this country. I wish I could leave this country to go to Mauritius which I am going to open a cafe in Mauritius see you guys there.
Let's be honest. You only voted against apartheid because of world pressure. There were embargos and boycotts of South Africa which affected the economy. It wasn't because of some GODLY decision because if it was you would have voted against apartheid a LONG TIME AGO. Until you make atonement for apartheid and the massacres that were committed, NO JUSTICE NO PEACE as far as I am concerned.
Youre ill informed, look at South Africas industry and military production which is some of the best in the world. Look at Iran and other countries under sanctions, it makes them stronger. From my experience most South Africans just want a life like we had before the A.N.C desroyed civilisation for all. South Africa is still a beuatifull country and i think all races work hard to keep the country together but reality is the government is like every other failed african state and only the old government infastructure is holding the country up from collapsing like the rest of Africa.Under apartheid did we have baby rape,drugs,international criminals and aids galore as well as the most savage criminals who thrive on murder sprees. Where is South Africas healthcare gone and once powerfull military and police force.If you have a weak communist,godless government then the population will follow to the ways of Sodom and Gommora and God help us all.
Yes they have that right but it's a shame cause the few that experience problems are the only ones commenting in this forum. Shame that life has been so unlucky to you all. 11 years in South Africa and I must say as a foreigner I'm IN LOVE with YOUR COUNTRY!!!! Speaks volumes don't you think? I heard that South Africans are very pessimistic and after reading this forum I agree.
How old you think the people are leaving the country? 80? 70? 60?
Oh I so agree with you. I’ve lived in SA all my life and love this country, BUT now want to immigrate to USA…………..and don’t know how???
Jason. Get an education… pack your bags, take your family, and move to South Africa. Rosettenville, Johannesburg should suit you well, or perhaps Thokoza.
If you still lucky enough to be alive a year later please feel free to return to this site and post another comment.
You are so wrong… Wait until one of your family members get killed. Well, not just killed but mutilated as well. Then we will hear your hysteria. No, we are not cowards. We had the money and the means to go. And the courage. 20 years of ANC rule proves of going backward – not forward. Wake up! You are in the boiling frog syndrome!