South African expats’ message to people who want to leave the country

South African expats living abroad miss South Africa and say that, despite some benefits abroad like safety, they would come back home. 

The latest migrant stock data from the United Nations shows that over 1 million South Africans have emigrated to other countries.

Between 2020 and 2024, over 107,000 South Africans officially left the country. The United States topped the list as the most popular destination, taking in over 31,000 South Africans.

New Zealand followed with nearly 20,000, while Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands each received around 10,000 to 12,000 new South African migrants over the same period.

At mid-2024, the UK was home to the largest number of South African expats, with over 245,000 living there, followed by Australia (213,000), the US (161,000), and New Zealand (101,000).

However, for many South Africans considering a move abroad, the stories of those already living overseas offer a surprising perspective. 

Tumelo Setlaba, a South African Solutions Architect now based in the Netherlands, moved to Amsterdam to launch a new business venture. “I had the privilege of launching a startup in South Africa with Dutch co-founders,” Setlaba said. 

“When I wanted to go into my next venture, I thought I needed the big numbers you’d find in Europe or America.”

Through the Netherlands’ startup visa programme, Setlaba was able to establish himself abroad, but soon found himself reflecting on what he had left behind. 

“South Africa has so much more to offer than I realised before heading over to Europe,” she admitted. “I think I could still do it in South Africa just as well, if not better.”

Thulani Menye, a project lead at BP in London, shared a similar story. He had considered moving abroad as far back as 2015 and finally made the leap two years ago. 

“More than anything, it was about broadening my knowledge and experience,” he said. 

Quality of life unmatched

The move was made easier by the fact that he continued working for the same company and didn’t have to overcome a language barrier. However, it was not without emotional and personal challenges.

One of the most significant differences for both expats was the sense of safety abroad. Setlaba described the relief he felt after just a few weeks in Amsterdam. 

“I almost physically felt my body exhale. There was a tension that unpacked itself, a tension I hadn’t even been aware of until that moment,” she said. “In South Africa, we have our own mechanisms of survival. We cope. We manage.”

Still, both Setlaba and Menye cautioned against romanticising life abroad. “It’s not about which place is better or worse,” said Setlaba. 

“There’s so much we as South Africans can leverage to be globally competitive. Sometimes we forget what we already have.” 

Their advice to aspiring emigrants is to be fully informed.

“Yes, the financial opportunities might be greater,” said Setlaba, “but don’t underestimate the value of home, the culture, the people, the sense of belonging. There’s nothing like Mzansi.”

Some economists like Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt have echoed this sentiment.

Roodt told BusinessTech earlier this year that South Africa offers a quality of life that many developed countries simply can’t match, if you know how to navigate it. 

“The weather is fantastic, the natural beauty is breathtaking, and the people are welcoming,” said Roodt.

“South Africa is a very special place. The first thing I did after returning from New Zealand was to buy a proper steak for a third of the price.”

Roodt acknowledged that South Africa is not without its challenges. “South Africa is a dangerous place. There are many risks in South Africa. You need to identify these risks and manage them,” he said. 

He advised that people who want to thrive in the country should prioritise their safety, acquire marketable skills, maintain reliable digital access, and ensure a steady income.

“South Africa is not an ideal place for those without financial means. But for those with a reasonable income, it can be a wonderful place to live,” he said.