Disappointed South Africans Shun Life In Gloomy Britain

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1-30-2004 | Tim Butcher

[blam]

Disappointed South Africans shun life in gloomy Britain

By Tim Butcher in Johannesburg
(Filed: 31/01/2004)

They called it the "Chicken Run", the exodus in the mid-1990s of thousands of white South Africans fearful of the spiralling crime, political violence and job insecurity that accompanied black government at the end of apartheid.

But now, slowly and almost without a sound, a group of pathfinders are making their way back, grumbling about the low standard of living they found in Britain, Australia and elsewhere, and keen to restart a new life back in what they now see as a more stable South Africa.

Ten years after majority rule, they represent a significant endorsement of the rule of President Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela before him.

"We left South Africa because we feared for our way of life and our standard of living here," said Aleck Markov, a 33-year-old dentist from Johannesburg.

"But what we found in London was so much lower than what we were used to and things have not worked out here in South Africa like people said they would. So after six years in Britain the choice was easy - to come home."

Mr Markov had no problem finding work in Britain when he arrived in 1996 and for a wage much higher than he could command in South Africa. But the high cost of living, the weather and poor public services slowly took their toll.

"It was when our two children arrived that we really got the message," he said.

"We were in a tiny flat in Finchley with the rain beating down and the kids were going crazy, but we could not take them outside. That's when we knew we had to come home."

For £40,000 he bought a three-bedroomed house to the north west of Johannesburg with a large garden and mountain view. He commutes 15 minutes on a motorcycle to a dental practice in the city's smart northern suburbs.

Grant Ravenscroft, 35, was one of the first South Africans to apply to emigrate to Australia after the end of apartheid, but he found life there so tough that he has returned to Johannesburg.

"Some migrations happen when there is a depression and everyone moves to survive, but the truth was the exodus from South Africa in the mid-1990s was not like that," he said.

"Things were not that bad, people had the two Mercedes, the maid and the swimming pool, so when they got to Europe or Australia they knew what they had left behind.

"In South Africa I always owned my own business, but in Perth to make ends meet I had to do day shifts washing plates and serving tables in a restaurant and night shifts as a barman."

With his savings Mr Ravenscroft has enough to buy his own restaurant in Johannesburg which is due to open next month.

Their stories are echoed on a website set up by a charity to encourage South Africans to return. "This is the land of opportunity," the website www.homecomingrevolution.co.za, says. "Sure, it's not perfect, but hey, don't wait until it gets better, come home and make it better!"

The number of South Africans resident in Britain in 2001 had doubled from 10 years earlier to more than 132,000, according to the last British census. There are few signs so far that the trickle back is turning into a flood.

[blam]

Ping.

[AdamSelene235]

Aint socialism grand?

[ikka]

Sorry, I don't buy it.

Thabo Mbeki has supported and given aid and comfort to Mugabe, the socialist thug who has almost destroyed Zimbabwe.

And crime IS very high in SA.

[cyborg]

Nope it's true. I know two South Africans moving back to South Africa. It's not because things are more stable. It's because SA is home to them, home to the land they love and ancestors. I have in mind one man who said if he could find a job in SA that paid well, he'd move back in a heartbeat.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Ouch! Not really a ringing endorsement for England, is it?

[helives]

Oz outrage at Germaine Greer's attack on 'cultural wasteland'

yada yada yada.......we let these people live here and all they do is complain.......just like that Germaine Greer.....well get over it and move on, the reason its harder in Oz is coz is South Africa the std of living is overall lower for most and has worse crime than any other country in the world also the owrst AIDS/HIV of any country in the wrold so if thsoe people wanna go back all I can say is " can I help pack ur bags and bye, dont call ue, we'll call you"

[MDspinboyredux]

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!

As soon as Mandela dies, look for Mbeki to institute Mugabe-like land "reforms." It is no surprise that a vast majority of Mbeki's cabinet and personal associates were involved with South Africa's formerly outlawed Communist Party.

When the 'old man' finally kicks the bucket, Capitalism will die a violent death. South Africa will be a USAid basket case within 2 years post-Mandela.

Whatever the hardship they think they face in London or Perth will pale in comparison to the mob they'll face in Jo'berg.

You can take that to the bank.

[Peace will be here soon]

Maybe they just missed their Springboks !!

[McGavin999]

Actually, I think it would be a great idea if all the immigrants who flooded in during the last 10 years would just all pack their bags and go back. Ingratitude sucks, who needs that kind of attitude.

[cyborg]

LOL

[NewLand]

"...the exodus in the mid-1990s of thousands of white South Africans..."

They should move to the USA, have children here, so the children can be raised as African-Americans.

That should confound the PC libs...

[cyborg]

I asked a friend or two what they think of Nelson Mandela, not as hated I thought he would be amongst the afrikaans speaking set. He's pretty much what keeps 'popular media' interested in South Africa, I hate to say. I think Oprah's concern about orphans are genuine but she wouldn't be going there if it weren't for Mandela.

Good post... I agree...Mbeki is already chomping at the bit. They're eyeballing the few provinces that aren't pro-ANC, all those black SAs who won't be voting for him. They'll get a 'Zimbabwe judge style' visit from the State Police pretty soon.

[Righty1]

These people's ancestors probably emigrated for the same reasons i.e. lebensraum, opportunity, and sunshine.

[MDspinboyredux]

I agree with your friends' observations. Afrikaaners are warm to Mandela because he's a moderating force in SA and brings in the West's investment dollars to feed the coffers of Afrikaaner businesses.

But as soon as he's gone, the West's investments that have sustained SA since 'reconstruction' will dry up. That will give Mbeki the excuse for land reform, blaming the white businessmen of ruining the economy. Businesses that have been profitable for both owners and employees will be handed over to people with little or no business savvy. The companies, and the people dependent on them for income, will suffer.

All one has to do is to look to Zimbabwe. Farms were handed over to squatters with no farming experience simply in exchange for political obedience. The farms couldn't continue to operate profitably and the whole of the people suffered. That's how Zimbabwe, a former food EXPORTER became a destitute beggar at the feet of the World Bank.

And you couldn't be further from the truth with your last paragraph. Those who don't pay the piper will be scarce to hear the tune.

[cyborg]

I concur... Mugabe is certainly living up to his goal of being a socialist dictator.

[ikka]

It has already started, Zim-style land "reform": Mbeki passes land expropriation bill

[cherry]

I don't buy it either....these people are either blind or stupid or just greedy enough to risk life and limb for a few extra creature comforts....

the media tends to focus in on a tiny little movement and then trump it up to make it seem like its a huge trend....

Not that I don't think South Africa could be made better, but its terrible now and I can't imagine having my children grow up there when the majority hates you....

[cherry]

the other thing is...these people are not moving back to live like other South Africans....

they're moving back so they can live in rich, white enclaves and far away from Black South Africa...

isn't it nice to know that these people just want to get back so their money will buy them more luxury and comfort...

real nationalism.....

PLease leave us alone in America, you whiners....

[mmartins]

"I don't buy it either....these people are either blind or stupid or just greedy enough to risk life and limb for a few extra creature comforts...."

You've clearly never lived in England

It began raining in September. It's still raining now. It'll only stop raining around July...