#I’mStaying page gathers momentum
DESPITE differences in age, race, and religion, citizens from across the country are celebrating being South African.
They have shared thousands of anecdotes, humorous videos, and everything they love about SA on the Facebook group #ImStaying.
The members – just over 250 000 of them – also posted emotional head-scratchers leaving people wondering why anyone would emigrate.
Capetonian Jarette Petzer, a real estate agent, created the group on September 7.
He said he posted a video of himself to his personal Facebook page and he listed everything he was grateful for and thankful for in SA.
“It was (then) suggested that I start a group and it just caught fire.”
Petzer said he named the group #ImStaying because there had always been talks of a “Plan B” – which was leaving the country.
“We wanted to counter the narrative and celebrate all of us that are here and have no plans to leave.”
Petzer continued: “This group is to honour all those who still believe that we as a nation can turn things around. To all those who choose to stay and work together to save this beautiful country, we call home! This group belongs to all willing to make a positive difference.”
Preshalya Govender shared the story of her recent visit to Fordsburg – a Johannesburg hub for Indian and Pakistani culture.
“I rolled my window down and was hit by all the wonderful food smells on Mint Road! I bought three containers of vegetable breyani and went on my way.
“As I walked to my car, I noticed a man sitting on the pavement. Not only did he look like he’s had a hard life, hungry, and tired, but he looked sad. Really, really sad.
“I greeted him, ‘Good Morning Sir’ and it took every bit of strength he had to look up and greet me back. I handed him two of the breyani containers, and he received it warmly.
“Tears then came rolling down his cheeks without any effort, and I shed a few too. I gave him some tissues to wipe his face, and I told him, ‘I hope you enjoy it because it’s really delicious and I’ll be thinking of you when I have mine too’.
“I will never know what he’s had to face, how much he’s had to give up, how hard he’s had to work, who he’s lost, what he may be grieving over or the depth of the sacrifices he’s made. But at that moment, we connected as human beings and that’s why #ImStaying.”
Zaheera Walker posted about how she was on her way to her first skydive when she made a new friend.
“It is not safe for a lady to give a lift to a stranger, we are told. But I never listen. You see, Friedrich Chitauka (never met him prior) and I were at the Vaal ready for our first skydive.
“The group he was travelling with had to leave, and since we both were heading towards Johannesburg, I offered him a ride home. We started chatting, and my heart melted when he shared his story with me.
“In a nutshell, his mother passed away while he was in the middle of his studies. He knew then that he couldn’t drop out and focused real hard on making her proud.
“I shared my hopes and dreams and fears as well. Today, he is an engineer, a fitness enthusiast, and a part-time photographer.
“He inspires people wherever he goes. We met as strangers and are now friends. After I dropped him off, he messaged to check if I reached home safely. What a gentle soul and so glad I share a small part in his world #ImStaying.”