Don’t miss…

A WHILE back, it was with great sadness that I said goodbye to a number of friends and colleagues who were emigrating.

You don’t know if you’ll ever see them again – and I can’t think of anything more daunting than giving up your birth country and moving abroad.

The life of immigrants the world over is well documented, as well as the longing for your place of birth, no matter how much you integrate yourself into a new life.

Every single one of my friends who have emigrated has a deep longing to return home. I don’t know anyone who says they won’t be returning to South Africa at some stage.

However, it’s interesting to see the stats on those leaving and how, after a peak in 2019, things have stabilised.

But experts say with borders opening again, we can expect to see another spike. No one easily leaves a home country unless they believe they will find a better life somewhere else.

Our country has seen an increase in foreign buyers of late, and when asked why they chose South Africa, they reply it’s the beauty and the people – and let’s not forget the exchange rate.

I follow an interesting couple on TikTok, who travel the world and set up home in different countries. The longest they have stayed anywhere was in South Africa – how? Why? Financially, it was way cheaper for them here than if they’d stayed in their old home in the US.

There are pros and cons to leaving your birth country – adventure beckons and anything is possible in today’s world.

My friends who’ve made it overseas work hard at being part of the new every day. Immigrating and emigrating are full of hellos and goodbyes and hard work and also untold treasures and delights.

Whether you’re staying or going, take care and enjoy.