There are South Africans living on every continent around the world and many are probably missing home right now; Simon Webb has penned a beautiful message to share how he and his wife cope when things get tough.
Global (10 May 2023) – The reality of the world is that there are many South Africans that no longer live in South Africa. Each person has their own deeply personal reason for leaving and we totally support that! That being said, deciding to leave never makes missing home any easier and for many South Africans abroad, it’s a daily struggle – this message is to help make it a little easier.
Missing Africa is a real thing, even for people who merely visit and go back to their own countries. Africa becomes engrained in every person who lives or visits here. It is one of the many reasons we consider it so beautiful – it forever touches ones soul.
Simon Webb and his wife made the choice to move, he shares his reasons in his message, but they still grapple with the choice each day. They miss home and think fondly on memories of growing up in South Africa. And yet they remain outside of our borders because life has happened that way for them.
Simon penned his message for his own heart and for his wife’s heart, but the message is one that is resonating with South Africans everywhere. It shows his family’s struggles which are so much the same as many other families.
So if you live outside South Africa and needed something to perk your spirit up, this is the message you need to read today.
This is Simon’s Message:
Leaving home in Africa solely for the sake of our future children’s opportunities has been one of the most difficult decisions my Wife and I have had to make. Africa defines us and lives within every one of us, and the thought of leaving behind our friends, family, and familiar surroundings was emotionally challenging.
However, the reality is that in South Africa, opportunities for education and employment are limited, and the prospects for a better life for our children were slim. It felt like we had no choice but to make the difficult decision to leave our home country to seek a better future for our family.
But even with the promise of better opportunities, leaving home was not easy. Homesickness, cultural shock, and the feeling of being an outsider in a new country made the transition difficult. Moreover, the financial and emotional strain of supporting a family from a distance was overwhelming.
However, the song “Going Home” by Gold Fish featuring Max Vidima really hit a string with my wife and I. It reminded us of the love and connection we have to Africa, despite being far away from our home. We often listen to it when we want to evoke memories of joy, contentment, and connection with our loved ones and the land we call home.
And even though we’re far away, moments like sitting on the grass at the beautiful Emmarentia Dam, surrounded by friends and family, are a testament to the beauty and richness of African culture and community. Despite the challenges of leaving home, these moments of joy and contentment are a reminder of the resilience and strength of those who make the difficult decision to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Africa isn’t a place or a memory it is us and everything about us. It’s the way we love, braai, and communicate.
Embrace, strive, and Survive. Africa is a word that describes the very essence of who we are and what we stand for.
If I can give you any advice about leaving loved ones and memories it’s to remember you may have left SA but it will never leave you. It is you and that’s the most amazing thing you have regardless of the bitterness or broken heart it left you with.
It left you with stories, lifelong friends and words like Boet, Cuzzie, P**S, K*k, dop and so so so much more……
You can listen to “Going Home” below.
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