It's been lots of fun re-reading my old blogs about our lives in Emirates. For new readers of my blog, you may be wondering how a family of South Africans went from Abu Dhabi to Australia.
Sometimes I wonder too.
We never planned to emigrate permanently. Abu Dhabi was always going to be a temporary thing. When we had enough, we would come home. Home being South Africa. We hoped to make enough money in Abu Dhabi to do just that.
Unfortunately, life didn't work out quite like we planned, and we didn't save as much of our dirhams as we hoped we would. It just wasn't possible for us, though it is for many.
But we still planned to go back. We were concerned - I'd become accustomed to life as a Domestic Goddess and freelance writer. Our Eldest Daughter was at an excellent private school, and there is no way we could afford the same in South Africa. Unless I went back to work full time, and Dear Husband took more contract work up in Africa.
But that would mean he would be on three-month rotations. And with me working full-time, and him working away, we wouldn't have much of a family life left.
And then there was the crime issue. We had become used to living with just petty crime, and although we knew we'd adjust (after all, South Africans tend to do that) to living life behind bars again, it was a concern. Hubby in particular was worried about leaving us for long periods on our own.
And just by chance, on a whim, a friend of a friend of a friend, just happend to mention that there were paramedic jobs going in Australia, and they would sponsor a temporary visa (known as a 457). We decided "what the hell" and sent off DH's CV. We didn't expect much - after all, it was just a whim.
Until they called for an interview. And then a video interview. And then it got serious. This was genuinely an option for us. It would be an easier path to Australian permanent residency, there was more chance of me getting part time work, and we would actually be able to be together as a family.
We discussed it with our respective families in South Africa. They were cautiously supportive. I questioned my Australian friends in Abu Dhabi relentlessly. I spoke to my cousin in Perth. We researched, researched and researched. More than we had done for our foray into the Middle East. This sounded good, but would it be the right choice?
DH was offered the job, and we decided to accept - despite the cost. And there was a cost. While our visa was sponsored, our flights and transport were not. We had to fly back to South Africa, ship our goods from Abu Dhabi, combine it with our stored things in South Africa, and then ship this to Australia. Then we had to pay for the container costs, our flight costs and some basic set up costs.
We used up pretty much every damn cent we had saved - our dirhams from Abu Dhabi, and the profit we'd made when we sold our house in South Africa.
And then there was the emotional cost. Saying goodbye when we left for Abu Dhabi was easy - we knew we'd be back. Saying goodbye when we left for Australia was terrible. Even on the way to the airport, we were still questioning whether this was the right choice for us.
Because in the middle of all of our planning and moving and to-ing and fro-ing, my sister-in-law died in horrific circumstances. All of a sudden, the reality of being Away from family was harder. How could we leave at this time? How could we not be there while the family mourned, and waited for justice, that still 3 years later, has yet to come for the man who caused her death.
The cost to move has been high. Very high.
But two years and six months after we left Johannesburg and arrived in Perth, I can say it was (mostly) worth it.
We have regrets (some days), and miss our families (very much, every single day), but after having lived here for this long, would we be part of the Homecoming Revolution? Would we go "home" again?
No. We are home. Here in Perth, Australia - we are home.
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Desert Notes: Selling South Africa
I’m proudly South African. I may be living in another country at the moment, but SA still represents home to me. And I’m proud of what being South African means to me: a country on a growth curve, coming from a troubled history and moving towards a much brighter future.
Having spent my entire career working for the marketing and communications departments of two different multinational organizations, I can’t help but think in marketing terms sometimes. There are lots of opportunities in the United Arab Emirates, and not enough South Africans are taking them up.
There are exceptions however. In the military world, you mention South Africa, and they automatically say “Ah, Denel!” And it is said in a good way. They like our products, they like our service, and they like our technical expertise.
There is also Mugg & Bean, but it is often a surprise to people when I tell them it is actually a South African company. Most people think it is an American franchise.
Woolworths too. Many (except the British, who know better) think it’s the UK chainstore of the same name. The UK version is completely unlike our South African one. And like in SA, the Woolworths here has come to mean quality. It is just a pity that people are not associating that quality with South Africa.
One of the things that surprised me most was my visit to the Gold Souk (market). In a shopping mall filled with nothing but jewelry stores, I expected to see some evidence of South Africa, it being one of the major gold producers of this world. But no, all the jewelry stores have big banners claiming to sell Italian gold. I was surprised and did some research.
In India, wedding dowries are commonly made up of gold jewelry. And it has to be new, no hand-me-downs from mum either. So the wealthy families head out to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and shop till they drop at the Gold Souks. And for some reason Italian gold is the most sought after.
I still don’t know why. Because as far as I am aware, South African gold is of exceptional quality and purity, and should be what people are looking for. Why aren’t they? It’s a question that needs to be posed to the marketing arm of Gold Council of SA.
I’m forever promoting South African products. From chutney to mayonnaise to rooibos tea. I did find it interesting to hear that “chutney” itself is an Indian word, but the South African version is nothing like the chutneys from India. Obviously it has its roots in the SA Indian population. I never knew that!
And I tell them all the time how insipid their mayonnaise is. So tasteless, and without the tang that we are used to. But I tell them nicely of course!
Rooibos tea is one of my favourites to promote when I meet other mums. Because its caffeine free, good for kids, and because it has other uses too. Like putting cooled rooibos tea in the bath to treat skin allergies. I’ve managed to get so many mums at the local playgroup interested that I have to buy an extra box to take with me to the next gathering. And I need to find some more information about its good qualities.
There are some products that are recognised as being South African – like Jungle Oats. Tiger Brands will be glad to hear that!
One of the first questions you are asked when meeting someone new, is “So where are you from?” and I’m always happy to tell them South Africa. And when they talk about where to spend their holidays, I’m always quick to point out the many different types of holiday you can have here – and with their dollars, pounds and euros, they can get a lot of value for their money.
From wine routes to bungee-jumping and the inevitable “safari,” South Africa has a lot to offer the international tourist. I am quick to tell them of my favourite area, the Garden Route, as well as the many other options the country has. And to make them feel like they are doing something worthwhile, I tell them that we like tourists, because for every eight visitors, one new job is created (see, the ad campaign did work on someone – me!).
When they ask me about the economy, I tell them what is happening, and why I see a positive future for the country. I tell them that the biggest crisis the country has yet to begin to deal with effectively is HIV. But that I know something can be done, because it has been done effectively in Uganda, which now has one of lowest infection rates in Africa.
But there is one question that I can simply not gloss over. Crime. Because everyone associates two things with SA – apartheid, and crime. Initially I was able to tell them that its not that bad, and that I myself had been a victim of crime, but if you were careful, then you weren’t likely to experience a problem.
Until I described what had happened to me. We were attacked at home by some inexperienced thugs who used our own garden fork to stab my husband (not seriously fortunately) in the shoulder, and had thrown a tin of our black paint into our house. I’ve always taken this incident rather lightly, because, well, no-one was killed, no guns were used, and the police never actually did anything about it.
But my perspective changed when I saw the look of horror on a Canadian woman’s face. Because we have come to take crime so lightly, and as so much part of our lives, that it doesn’t phase us anymore. We’re almost immune.
It didn’t help much to hear later that day that two of my family members had been witnesses to separate bank robberies on the same day.
It made me take stock somewhat.
I am still happy to “sell” my country to whoever is willing to give me the time. But I no longer have an answer for the inevitable question “But what about the crime?”
What would your answer be?
Having spent my entire career working for the marketing and communications departments of two different multinational organizations, I can’t help but think in marketing terms sometimes. There are lots of opportunities in the United Arab Emirates, and not enough South Africans are taking them up.
There are exceptions however. In the military world, you mention South Africa, and they automatically say “Ah, Denel!” And it is said in a good way. They like our products, they like our service, and they like our technical expertise.
There is also Mugg & Bean, but it is often a surprise to people when I tell them it is actually a South African company. Most people think it is an American franchise.
Woolworths too. Many (except the British, who know better) think it’s the UK chainstore of the same name. The UK version is completely unlike our South African one. And like in SA, the Woolworths here has come to mean quality. It is just a pity that people are not associating that quality with South Africa.
One of the things that surprised me most was my visit to the Gold Souk (market). In a shopping mall filled with nothing but jewelry stores, I expected to see some evidence of South Africa, it being one of the major gold producers of this world. But no, all the jewelry stores have big banners claiming to sell Italian gold. I was surprised and did some research.
In India, wedding dowries are commonly made up of gold jewelry. And it has to be new, no hand-me-downs from mum either. So the wealthy families head out to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and shop till they drop at the Gold Souks. And for some reason Italian gold is the most sought after.
I still don’t know why. Because as far as I am aware, South African gold is of exceptional quality and purity, and should be what people are looking for. Why aren’t they? It’s a question that needs to be posed to the marketing arm of Gold Council of SA.
I’m forever promoting South African products. From chutney to mayonnaise to rooibos tea. I did find it interesting to hear that “chutney” itself is an Indian word, but the South African version is nothing like the chutneys from India. Obviously it has its roots in the SA Indian population. I never knew that!
And I tell them all the time how insipid their mayonnaise is. So tasteless, and without the tang that we are used to. But I tell them nicely of course!
Rooibos tea is one of my favourites to promote when I meet other mums. Because its caffeine free, good for kids, and because it has other uses too. Like putting cooled rooibos tea in the bath to treat skin allergies. I’ve managed to get so many mums at the local playgroup interested that I have to buy an extra box to take with me to the next gathering. And I need to find some more information about its good qualities.
There are some products that are recognised as being South African – like Jungle Oats. Tiger Brands will be glad to hear that!
One of the first questions you are asked when meeting someone new, is “So where are you from?” and I’m always happy to tell them South Africa. And when they talk about where to spend their holidays, I’m always quick to point out the many different types of holiday you can have here – and with their dollars, pounds and euros, they can get a lot of value for their money.
From wine routes to bungee-jumping and the inevitable “safari,” South Africa has a lot to offer the international tourist. I am quick to tell them of my favourite area, the Garden Route, as well as the many other options the country has. And to make them feel like they are doing something worthwhile, I tell them that we like tourists, because for every eight visitors, one new job is created (see, the ad campaign did work on someone – me!).
When they ask me about the economy, I tell them what is happening, and why I see a positive future for the country. I tell them that the biggest crisis the country has yet to begin to deal with effectively is HIV. But that I know something can be done, because it has been done effectively in Uganda, which now has one of lowest infection rates in Africa.
But there is one question that I can simply not gloss over. Crime. Because everyone associates two things with SA – apartheid, and crime. Initially I was able to tell them that its not that bad, and that I myself had been a victim of crime, but if you were careful, then you weren’t likely to experience a problem.
Until I described what had happened to me. We were attacked at home by some inexperienced thugs who used our own garden fork to stab my husband (not seriously fortunately) in the shoulder, and had thrown a tin of our black paint into our house. I’ve always taken this incident rather lightly, because, well, no-one was killed, no guns were used, and the police never actually did anything about it.
But my perspective changed when I saw the look of horror on a Canadian woman’s face. Because we have come to take crime so lightly, and as so much part of our lives, that it doesn’t phase us anymore. We’re almost immune.
It didn’t help much to hear later that day that two of my family members had been witnesses to separate bank robberies on the same day.
It made me take stock somewhat.
I am still happy to “sell” my country to whoever is willing to give me the time. But I no longer have an answer for the inevitable question “But what about the crime?”
What would your answer be?
Desert Notes: Being South African
I’ve always considered myself to be “Proudly South African,” but even more so since moving to the UAE.
The standard introductory chatter when meeting new people in Abu Dhabi contains two primary questions. You’ll get asked “So, how long have you been here?” quickly followed by “And where are you from originally?”
And it is really cool to be able to say “South Africa.” Because just 10 short years ago, the reaction to my answer wouldn’t have been very positive at all. But now it is. And I find myself standing up straighter, smiling brightly when I say it. Because the country has done so much, come so far, and in general most South Africans I know (those still at home, and those overseas) have a positive outlook about its future.
One South African lady I met recently agrees. It’s about claiming your identity and believing in the country’s future. She said that she has proudly stuck an SA flag on the bumper of her car. Something she would have cringed at back in SA, but over here, it’s a mark of belonging.
Nobody ever asks “Why did you come here?” because no matter where you are from in the world, people come to the UAE to make money. Though many, in a deeper conversation, will ask about the crime and those with kids will ask about the standards of education.
There is a large community of South Africans in the UAE. There is talk the number, around 20 000 people, now exceeds the number of British expatriates. And considering that before it became the United Arab Emirates in the 1970’s, the area, which was then known as the Trucal States, was a British protectorate.
There are a number of South African clubs, one of which hosted a get-together in Abu Dhabi recently. There were over 140 attendees. And it was advertised purely by word of mouth! There are plenty of websites offering information and support for SA expats too. And I simply just love the name of the Abu Dhabi South African Ladies Group – they call themselves the Koeksuster Club!
And while, for the most part, people are positive in hearing your origins, you also get some odd comments too. Our accent is occasionally confused with that of the Australians or the British. And once, very surprisingly, my husband was asked if he was from Italy.
I have had a few odd reactions from some people though. Particularly from non-Western (i.e. Europe and North America) countries. One Philipino lady had never heard of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, Cape Town or Johannesburg, and kept on shaking her head every time I tried to describe where it was. Where AFRICA was. Oh to realise that your country is not the centre of the world!
But far more common is the “black” reaction. On hearing my country of origin, the listener gets this shocked look. And then the comment: “But you’re not black! I thought only black people came from Africa.”
One chap got quite adamant about it with my husband. When my husband explained that his ancestors originally came from Britain, the man made his point. “You’re British then!” he said. And no matter how hard we tried to explain that we are South Africans with a British heritage, he simply didn’t get it. Because we are white. Therefore we can’t be African.
But I am. I cannot wait to get home. And although I am happy here, my heart lies in Africa. In South Africa. It always will be. Because I am “Proudly South African.”
The standard introductory chatter when meeting new people in Abu Dhabi contains two primary questions. You’ll get asked “So, how long have you been here?” quickly followed by “And where are you from originally?”
And it is really cool to be able to say “South Africa.” Because just 10 short years ago, the reaction to my answer wouldn’t have been very positive at all. But now it is. And I find myself standing up straighter, smiling brightly when I say it. Because the country has done so much, come so far, and in general most South Africans I know (those still at home, and those overseas) have a positive outlook about its future.
One South African lady I met recently agrees. It’s about claiming your identity and believing in the country’s future. She said that she has proudly stuck an SA flag on the bumper of her car. Something she would have cringed at back in SA, but over here, it’s a mark of belonging.
Nobody ever asks “Why did you come here?” because no matter where you are from in the world, people come to the UAE to make money. Though many, in a deeper conversation, will ask about the crime and those with kids will ask about the standards of education.
There is a large community of South Africans in the UAE. There is talk the number, around 20 000 people, now exceeds the number of British expatriates. And considering that before it became the United Arab Emirates in the 1970’s, the area, which was then known as the Trucal States, was a British protectorate.
There are a number of South African clubs, one of which hosted a get-together in Abu Dhabi recently. There were over 140 attendees. And it was advertised purely by word of mouth! There are plenty of websites offering information and support for SA expats too. And I simply just love the name of the Abu Dhabi South African Ladies Group – they call themselves the Koeksuster Club!
And while, for the most part, people are positive in hearing your origins, you also get some odd comments too. Our accent is occasionally confused with that of the Australians or the British. And once, very surprisingly, my husband was asked if he was from Italy.
I have had a few odd reactions from some people though. Particularly from non-Western (i.e. Europe and North America) countries. One Philipino lady had never heard of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, Cape Town or Johannesburg, and kept on shaking her head every time I tried to describe where it was. Where AFRICA was. Oh to realise that your country is not the centre of the world!
But far more common is the “black” reaction. On hearing my country of origin, the listener gets this shocked look. And then the comment: “But you’re not black! I thought only black people came from Africa.”
One chap got quite adamant about it with my husband. When my husband explained that his ancestors originally came from Britain, the man made his point. “You’re British then!” he said. And no matter how hard we tried to explain that we are South Africans with a British heritage, he simply didn’t get it. Because we are white. Therefore we can’t be African.
But I am. I cannot wait to get home. And although I am happy here, my heart lies in Africa. In South Africa. It always will be. Because I am “Proudly South African.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
