And Cape Town (Parts of it) is considered a lot safer than the rest of the country. I refuse to even go to the CBD in Johannesburg.
South Africa
- Thread starter Priapus
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And Cape Town (Parts of it) is considered a lot safer than the rest of the country. I refuse to even go to the CBD in Johannesburg.
If it's any consolation, I moved from SA to here just over 20 years ago as soon as I got out of high school, and it was the best decision I ever made.
That said, I have seen things get worse and worse here over those 20 years, and especially in the last 10 or so, but no for the reasons some other have mentioned.
I also finally managed to convince my parents to move over here from SA (mom is British), as it took a long time to get my Saffa dad on board, and they now live in a gorgeous part of Wales.
The sad thing, is one of the main reasons for them moving here was to get away from the utterly corrupt government in SA... and within the past 2 years the UK government has been the biggest crapshow in decades.
That said, I have seen things get worse and worse here over those 20 years, and especially in the last 10 or so, but no for the reasons some other have mentioned.
I also finally managed to convince my parents to move over here from SA (mom is British), as it took a long time to get my Saffa dad on board, and they now live in a gorgeous part of Wales.
The sad thing, is one of the main reasons for them moving here was to get away from the utterly corrupt government in SA... and within the past 2 years the UK government has been the biggest crapshow in decades.
When last did you visit SA?
Was a bit of a shock when I went back for the first time after moving here (8 years) and saw that all my friends had electric fences, which wasn't the case when I grew up in Cape Town. Some even had neighbourhood funded security guards walking the streets.
2008, 2010, 2015, and 2018, actually got married there, but am in the process of renouncing my citizenship.
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Oh that's common now - our area has two security vans driving and patrolling the whole area. We're even a "gated community" which is super common now. Thankfully, no incident since we moved to the area 3 years ago.
So, if anyone wants to see "rapid decline" - from 2018 to now, it's gotten a lot worse. Just driving along the roads is bad enough, having to always dodge potholes - you can see the decline literally everywhere you look.
Why are you renouncing citizenship?
We plan on leaving next year; and I will be on a path to British citizenship (5 or 6 year path) - I won't renounce SA citizenship, because hardly seems worth the effort.
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I want to change my name by deed poll, and you can't have 2 passports with different names, and SA doesn't allow name changes, so I'm going to bin it.
South Africa allows name changes; the Births and Deaths Registration Act (BDRA) 51 of 1992 read with the Identification Act 68 1997, provides for the rectification, amplification and amendment of the personal information of individuals as contained in the National Population Register of South Africa (NPR).
Never disputed that.
However, does the state of the country have you wondering if it's time to leave?
Most South Africans would get on a plane right now and go somewhere else, if they could. Many friends have emigrated and many more are in the process of doing just that. In the last three years, I know of 4 families who have packed up and left. My neighbour just sold his house and leaving the country.
That does not allow someone to change their surname to something brand new. We went through all the motions with the consulate and lawyers.
Alright, fair enough.
If living standards and job opportunities decline then I'm sure people will leave. We're a country run by corrupt individuals (I suppose most countries are the same) who convinced large parts of the population to vote against their best interests, the outcomes from this are starting to be felt now. People seem to forget that we were once called the 'sick man' of Europe.
Agreed that Brexit was a complete **** show and the average voter had no idea what they were really voting for, besides "Immigration control" which I believe had nothing to do with it, anyway.
I wouldn't move here now, but I'm sure you'll find it better than SA.
I'm currently holidaying in Ireland, I've not been here for a long time, and the difference is quite stark in how much happier people seem to be here compared to the current UK.
I'm currently holidaying in Ireland, I've not been here for a long time, and the difference is quite stark in how much happier people seem to be here compared to the current UK.
I've heard about the power cuts in South Africa, daily occurrence apparently.
Honestly, even ignoring all the other issues in South Africa, that's enough reason to leave. Power is kind of important and it doesn't sound like it's getting any better.
Honestly, even ignoring all the other issues in South Africa, that's enough reason to leave. Power is kind of important and it doesn't sound like it's getting any better.
Soldato
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The UK has it's problems but saying the place is a disaster and it's on the decline are either just bitter remainers or immigrant bashers.
There's plenty of opportunities in the UK for anyone who has ambition and is prepared to work hard, you don't have to look far to find examples of this. Our current prime minister is the son of migrants so saying the UK is terrible place are just talking out their behinds.
There's plenty of opportunities in the UK for anyone who has ambition and is prepared to work hard, you don't have to look far to find examples of this. Our current prime minister is the son of migrants so saying the UK is terrible place are just talking out their behinds.
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Power cuts have been mooted in the UK also.
Pot holes are really bad in places also.
I've noticed recently that councils don't seem to be cutting green areas back much this year, presumably to cut costs? Despite councilor tax going up by what, 5%? This might not seem like a bit deal to some but it's hardly a sign of prosperous country.
Calling the police is an interesting point also. Policing has been cut to the bone and only now are numbers starting to go back to where they were 10 years ago. That's the proposal at least.
We were promised (lol) lots of new hospitals as well, I don't think any have materialised, or very few have. They also changed the definition of new to include refurbished. Again, hardly signs of a well run and improving country.
Soldato
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This country is getting worse and worse every year. Mainly due to immigration but it will still always be a thousand times better than the conditions in South Africa.