South African Expats

Possible Formula 1 races for South Africa?

2011-12-08T11:07:00.000+04:00

It seems that there is a real interest to host a Formula 1 race in Cape Town and the South African government is giving their support. However, for this to happen another $100 million needs to be raised. Read the full article here.

Debt trap leaves South African mother of two facing jail

2011-12-05T12:59:00.000+04:00

Banks refuse to lift police case... so no one will hire her... ending hope of restructuring payments.

Read the full story here from Emirates 24/7.

In the UAE they take debt seriously, bouncing a cheque is a criminal offence and would likely see you end up in jail.

Potjies in the UAE

2011-12-05T12:09:00.002+04:00

If you are looking to buy a potjie in the UAE have a read below.

http://southafricansintheuae.blogspot.com/2011/12/potjie-cast-iron-pots.html

South African Producer Snaps Up Film Rights For Clarke Award Winner Zoo City

2011-11-30T10:08:00.001+04:00

South African film producer Helena Spring has won the film rights to this year’s Clarke Award-winning novel Zoo City, the cyberpunk thriller by fellow South African Lauren Beukes.

This comes after a furious international bidding war, including bids from UK and US producers.

Read the full article.

Will we have another District 9 type of success on our hands? I certainly hope so.

Doctor brain drain cost Africa $2billion

2011-11-29T10:08:00.001+04:00

Here is the full article.

The current cost by government to train a doctor in South Africa is estimated are $59,000. When these doctors leave for greener pastures it cost South Africa money while the country they go to will benefit from their skills without investing any money in them. This issue goes further than just doctors. Nursing staff is also leaving in droves. Both our kids was delivered by black South African nurses right here in the UAE. They have left South Africa for exactly the same reasons so many doctors do. Poor pay and horrible work conditions in state hospitals.

Now you can't blame people for wanting to better their life can you?

Nandos Add goes Viral

2011-11-28T10:02:00.001+04:00

Nandos is best know for their delicious peri-peri chiken, but on the advertising front they have time and again shown that their marketing department are just as good as their chicken. Which is excellent. Their latest add showing Robert Mugabe reminiscing on "old" times is just brilliant and it has already got more than 350,000 hits. It is also featuring on Yahoo's main page so expect that to climb.

News today

2011-04-27T10:01:00.003+04:00

Over 400,000 people entered and exited South Africa over the Easter holidays. Seems like lots of expats and tourists took the opportunity to visit SA. Full Story.

A PETITION calling on the Libyan government to release South African photojournalist Anton Hammerl has been signed by more than 27 000 people around the world. Hammer has our full support and we hope for his immediate release. Full story

Paul Walker from the “Fast and Furious” franchise to star in a South African action movie. Full story.

Bang, Bang Club movie doesn’t keep true to the real life story about four white South African photographers who confront personal risk, tragedy and their own humanity to chronicle the chaotic township violence of the final years of apartheid. Why Hollywood, why? Full story.

South Africa sends army to stop Rhino poaching in Kruger National Park. Full story.

Although gold prices are reaching record highs, South Africa is not profiting from it. Full story

South Africa. West African Cable System (Wacs) - the largest capacity submarine fiber-optic telecommunications (telecoms) cable to touch African shores - reached the beach at Yzerfontein, Western Cape, on Tuesday. Full story.

Weekly News

2011-04-24T12:56:00.012+04:00

South African Reporter in Libya Safe

South African photographer Anton Hammerl has reportedly been located by Libyan authorities after being missing for almost three weeks, although the Libyan government has yet to provide access to him.

Mandela is Tweeting

That is right folks. Madiba is now on Twitter, after his foundation convinced a British man to hand over the @NelsonMandela account. Full Story.

Malema says Zim land grab was wrong

Hmmm. It is hard to take this comment seriously, especially since previous comment were in favor of "distributing" land without compensation. Wonder if he will change tune after the trial? Full story.

Police attempted to trick Shren Dewani to come to SA

Sigh... Full Story.

Crisis at Kruger National Park

The headline is a little misleading, it however paints a good picture of the Kruger National Park, whilst also pointing out some issues. Full Story

A Short Trip to South Africa

2010-08-18T14:45:00.001+04:00

I recently had to travel to South Africa for some personal issues. I flew direct to Cape Town International airport. As we landed dread swooped over me. I was anticipating long lines, unfriendly staff and nasty son of a bitch customs officers.

Too my surprise, it took me less than 30 minutes from the moment I stepped off the plane till I was on my way with the Toyota Corolla I rented at the airport. It was bloody amazing.

New Saffa Blog Listed

2010-08-18T14:28:00.002+04:00

New Saffa blog listed from Hong Kong. Check it out http://howzit-hongkong.com/blog/

Cinnamon challenge

2010-07-27T11:15:00.000+04:00

Another SA Expatmagazine from the UK

2010-07-06T15:25:00.003+04:00

http://saexpatuk.com/

Check it out, maybe you will like it. This is the first issue of a new South African Expat magazine in the UK. They seem to have some pretty good ideas.

South African Lingo

2010-06-13T16:39:00.000+04:00

Proteas coming to the UAE

2010-03-31T12:10:00.003+04:00

There is some good news for the thousands of South African Expat cricket lovers working and living in the United Arab Emirates. It seems that South Africa has agreed to play Pakistan in the UAE in a three Test Match series and five One Day International series starting from 28 October 2010.

They have not finalized the itinerary, but they are planning to play in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

They are also planning to bring the SA A team along to play against the UAE.

You can read the full article here.

Expats participating in the Economy

2010-02-24T11:18:00.001+04:00

I stumbled across this article today which states that South African wine is outselling French wine for the first time in Britain.

It made me think of how many South African products I have introduced to non South Africans. Things that jump to mind is Ina Paarman products, Nando's sauces, wine and yes even biltong and droëwors.

Come to think of it, us expats can be pretty good ambassadors for South Africa and although we don't pay tax in our homeland, we certainly do support the economy. We buy South African products and introduce these products to our mates. Some of us send money home or buy property in South Africa. We go visit SA and contribute to the tourism market. We are very important contributors of foreign capital flowing into SA.

It is actually a shame that there is a certain part of the South African population that holds such a negative sentiment towards South African Expats. The "traitor" remarks etc comes to mind. Anyway, that is a blog for another day and a very hot topic.

Spur opens in Dubai

2010-01-18T11:34:00.006+04:00

Spur Steak Ranches has opened a restaurant at Dubai Festival City, on the skywalk level. Unfortunately you will have to do with beef ribs instead of pork Spare Ribs as the UAE is a Muslim country.

Enjoy a little taste from home.

Strangely, when I lived in SA I never went to the Spur, yet everytime I go for a holiday in SA I find myself eating there. Lol.!

Useful links for UK Expats

2010-01-12T12:52:00.006+04:00

Value Visas
Company providing visa services for expats since 1996.
Gumtree
Community classifieds for major cities in the UK. They advertise jobs, housing, cars etc.
SA Business Club
The name says it all. They have been active since 1993.
SA Times (UK)
SA Newspaper in the UK which is worth a read.
SA High Commission

If you are aware of any more useful sites or links, let me know. I will update this as I find more.

New blog listed

2009-12-10T10:13:00.001+04:00

New SA Expat blog listed. The blogger is blogging from Japan. Check it out. http://origamiliving.blogspot.com/

SA Expat blogger to run Marathon Des Sables

2009-12-01T11:33:00.003+04:00

If you have a little time check out Adam Du Plooy's blog. He is a South African expat living in Dubai and he is currently training to run the Marathon Des Sables. The Marathon is a 254 km race through the Moroccan desert.

Adam is running the marathon to raise awareness and funds for the Els for Autism Foundation and the Dubai Autism Center. This is indeed a good cause and one worth supporting.

SA Shop in the Netherlands

2009-11-30T16:30:00.003+04:00

I took a little break from the blogs, but I'm back now.

If you are a SAFFA in the Netherlands, check out this South African shop called Die Spens.

South Africans to farm in Congo

2009-10-22T10:00:00.000+04:00

While land distribution has seen some South African farms being made completely unproductive, the Congo has given Agri SA half a million acres of land on a 30 year renewable lease to improve the country's farming industry. More deals are likely to follow soon.

Land distribution is off course a touchy subject in South Africa, but it is also a very important issue that has to be managed carefully and correctly to ensure peace and stability in South Africa, without causing huge damage to the economy.

It is estimated that nearly a third of the farming land in the Congo is underused and the country is seeking to ensure a decent food supply to its citizens since most food is being imported into the Congo.

The ANC has set a target to distribute 30% of the land to black South Africans by 2014. This will be difficult to achieve, especially since a large portion of the already distributed land in South Africa has not been used productively. The major reason for this is skill shortages among black farmers and little to no help by government to address the problem after the land has been distributed.

Unless cool heads prevail in the ANC government and the skill shortage is addressed, South Africa might just be in a position where they have to start importing food from South African farmers in the Congo.

Terrorists at World Cup?

2009-10-13T08:52:00.004+04:00

"South Africa’s intelligence agencies are more concerned about white supremacists than a potential terrorist attack by al-Qaeda at the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the Cape Argus reported."

What does one make of such a statement?

We can only hope the government protects the safety of all citizens and tourists during the World Cup. I also hope Al Qaeda doesn't export their hate to South African shores.

Support satire

2009-10-08T15:08:00.004+04:00

ZA news is a South African satire site which pokes fun at SA politicians and other public figures by using latex puppets. They have struggled for around a decade to get their show aired on TV, but the SABC is of the opinion that, "SA isn’t ready for satire."

I think it is more likely a case of sate run television not wanting to poke fun at the state. Also, who is the SABC to decide what we are ready for or not?

Anyway, the producers thought enough is enough and now the broadcast over the internet.

Please support them.

Useful Links for Australian Expats

2009-10-07T10:00:00.017+04:00

Sabona Magazine - Online magazine for Saffas in OZ

SATOOZ - Online shop selling South African products

SA2Brisbane - Relocation consultants

OZ Downunder - Immigration guide

Afrikaans Christen Kerk - Located in Ashmore, Qld

Embassies and Consulates - SA Embassies and consulates in Australia contact details

I will add to the list over time.

Potjiekos

2009-10-07T08:25:00.005+04:00

I stumbled upon this very cool site this morning. Potjiekos world

Now I'm hungry.