South Africa: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
I was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, way back in 1993, and then after about 5 years my parents, sister and I, moved to Cape Town for 2 years, then Johannesburg for a further 2 years before finally returning to Bloemfontein in late 2002
The reason for all the moving around was because of my dad and his work. The company he worked for was spread far and wide across the main cities of South Africa. However, it was also finding it hard to make profits, and over the years began a series of office closures, which would ultimately affect us, and hence the constant moving between cities (fortunately, for those stressful years my dad was always retained rather than being made redundant).
Because I was so young at the time I never really got round to appreciating each city and its populace. My school work also suffered as well, and again i was never around long enough to strike up good friendships with kids my age. But that wasn't the end of my family's nomadic existence, because come 2000 my dad lost his job whilst we were living in J'burg, and because that city is hugely expensive, it was decided to move back to Bloemfontein for no other reason than because it was "home" (my dad, sister and I, were born there, but my mom is British)
However, both parents found it hard to find work, but through networking he did manage to get a job offer here in the UK. But it would mean him having to fly out to London for the interview and just hope for the best. And this is what he did, and fortunately, he was offered the job even though it would mean living in central England on a two year contract.
Inevitably it meant we all had to pack our bags and move out, and this time it wasn't going to be a relatively short trip to a nearby city, but a whole new continent thousands of miles north in a colder climate and a much smaller country.
For the first couple of years I hated England. I was 11 years old or so, and my education was all messed up because I was thinking how long will it be before we up sticks and moved some place else.
However, things did start to calm down, and over the years my dad really loved his job, even having his contract extended to permanent. My mom loved the Old Country because she was born here, and it was good to get back to her roots.
As for myself, well I went to university in 2012 and eventually graduated with a 2:1 in Computer Sciences, joined an IT firm for about 18 months, and really hated it! I loved the job itself, but the people I was working with were complete analholes, who couldn't accept having a woman telling them how to do things in the datacentre. All they wanted to do was mess around and not give a flying fig about the work.
So I left in February 2017, and decided to become a self-employed IT consultant, and haven't looked back since. I just love the independence, and being my own boss - living or dying on my own decision making. It's very hard work too; I can't just switch off at 5pm and enjoy some social time as one would in ordinary employment. But for all that I really wouldn't want to go back working for some big corporation.
However, I also spent a few months back in South Africa, at the back end of 2017. One reason was to take a good long break from the UK, and the chance to catch up with family and friends again. But while there I also checked out the IT work opportunities for IT consultants, and was surprised at how relatively easy it is to get well-paid contract work. I even had a couple of enquiries from small firms wanting help with new start-up networks!
I returned to the UK in December - now rather reluctantly I have to say. I have a strong desire to go back to SA permanently, despite all its usual problems of crime and corruption etc. But then how I see it, most countries have a great deal of social injustice, not least the UK. And another reason for wanting to leave is my fears for the country after Brexit becomes a reality in March 2019. Personally I don't think the UK will benefit for years, perhaps even decades after it severs ties with the EU. Isolationism will hit it like a snowball in the face.
Two months after returning to the UK my desires to leave are still strong. So-much-so that I am now putting a provisionally plan in action to emigrate!
It's going to be a tough call, not least for my parents, my friends and of course my girlfriend (for whom I haven't told just yet). But I feel the moment is ripe to complete the circle and head back to where it all began.
This is the Right Move!
The reason for all the moving around was because of my dad and his work. The company he worked for was spread far and wide across the main cities of South Africa. However, it was also finding it hard to make profits, and over the years began a series of office closures, which would ultimately affect us, and hence the constant moving between cities (fortunately, for those stressful years my dad was always retained rather than being made redundant).
Because I was so young at the time I never really got round to appreciating each city and its populace. My school work also suffered as well, and again i was never around long enough to strike up good friendships with kids my age. But that wasn't the end of my family's nomadic existence, because come 2000 my dad lost his job whilst we were living in J'burg, and because that city is hugely expensive, it was decided to move back to Bloemfontein for no other reason than because it was "home" (my dad, sister and I, were born there, but my mom is British)
However, both parents found it hard to find work, but through networking he did manage to get a job offer here in the UK. But it would mean him having to fly out to London for the interview and just hope for the best. And this is what he did, and fortunately, he was offered the job even though it would mean living in central England on a two year contract.
Inevitably it meant we all had to pack our bags and move out, and this time it wasn't going to be a relatively short trip to a nearby city, but a whole new continent thousands of miles north in a colder climate and a much smaller country.
For the first couple of years I hated England. I was 11 years old or so, and my education was all messed up because I was thinking how long will it be before we up sticks and moved some place else.
However, things did start to calm down, and over the years my dad really loved his job, even having his contract extended to permanent. My mom loved the Old Country because she was born here, and it was good to get back to her roots.
As for myself, well I went to university in 2012 and eventually graduated with a 2:1 in Computer Sciences, joined an IT firm for about 18 months, and really hated it! I loved the job itself, but the people I was working with were complete analholes, who couldn't accept having a woman telling them how to do things in the datacentre. All they wanted to do was mess around and not give a flying fig about the work.
So I left in February 2017, and decided to become a self-employed IT consultant, and haven't looked back since. I just love the independence, and being my own boss - living or dying on my own decision making. It's very hard work too; I can't just switch off at 5pm and enjoy some social time as one would in ordinary employment. But for all that I really wouldn't want to go back working for some big corporation.
However, I also spent a few months back in South Africa, at the back end of 2017. One reason was to take a good long break from the UK, and the chance to catch up with family and friends again. But while there I also checked out the IT work opportunities for IT consultants, and was surprised at how relatively easy it is to get well-paid contract work. I even had a couple of enquiries from small firms wanting help with new start-up networks!
I returned to the UK in December - now rather reluctantly I have to say. I have a strong desire to go back to SA permanently, despite all its usual problems of crime and corruption etc. But then how I see it, most countries have a great deal of social injustice, not least the UK. And another reason for wanting to leave is my fears for the country after Brexit becomes a reality in March 2019. Personally I don't think the UK will benefit for years, perhaps even decades after it severs ties with the EU. Isolationism will hit it like a snowball in the face.
Two months after returning to the UK my desires to leave are still strong. So-much-so that I am now putting a provisionally plan in action to emigrate!
It's going to be a tough call, not least for my parents, my friends and of course my girlfriend (for whom I haven't told just yet). But I feel the moment is ripe to complete the circle and head back to where it all began.
This is the Right Move!
Total Comments 0
