Expats still South Africans at heart
MOHAMED Shabeer Dada, 52, formerly of Polokwane, left South Africa in 2001.
“I moved to the UK to travel with a young family. We wanted to explore Europe. I initially came over with my son Rameez, who was 9 at the time, and my family joined us three months later,” said Dada, who currently resides in Chatham, Kent.
The head of the geography department at a grammar (secondary) school said he could see the pros and cons of the review of the dual citizenship rule.
“I am South African through and through. However, my host country has offered my kids opportunities, so we are settled here now. It is home. But my heart is and always is South African. If the government in South Africa makes a decision, it will not affect me at all. I am what I am – South African through and through. Just a piece of paper will have been taken away.”
John Pillay, a bus driver who was born and raised in Greenwood Park, Durban, decided to emigrate to Auckland, New Zealand, in 2008 with his wife, Ambie.
“My two daughters, Sharita Medell and Seshnee Pillay, both nurses, emigrated first. I always knew I would join them in New Zealand after I retired at age 65, but because I missed my three grandchildren so much, my wife and I decided to leave earlier than expected.”
Pillay, who turned 68 on Saturday, still works as a bus driver, while his wife is employed part-time in customer services at a mall.
Regarding the issue of dual citizenship, he said: “The only reason I came here was for my grandchildren. I have all my family and friends in South Africa whom I miss. I call them almost every day. If I was given a choice between South Africa and my current home, I would have to remain here for my grandchildren’s sake.”
Comments on the Facebook page, SA-People – for South Africans in South Africa and expats: Maureen Firmani: The ANC are using the Jewish story as an excuse for what they are REALLY trying to do – which obviously is to stop South Africans abroad from voting in the next election. Jacquie Hough: The South African Constitution is clear: Clause 20 of the Bill of Rights states simply “no citizen may be deprived of citizenship”. That’s it. No ifs or buts. Any mechanism to take away the citizenship of someone would be unconstitutional. Jenni MacLeod: Considering the majority of young South Africans are working overseas because of the BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) policy and have dual citizenship as a result, this move to me is blatantly racist. Khaya Sikhundla Ka Miya: To me these so-called South Africans abroad are really not acting SAns (South African) at all. Is South Africa the first country to propose this? If you consider yourself a true SAn (South African), why would you serve in another country’s army, what if that army is fighting South Africa? Where would your allegiance be?