So I take it you saw that my country is in Australia but don’t call me names since I’m not the foul mouthed negative about South Africa Saffer you might think.

Saffer equals South Africans living abroad (for those who might connect it with something else).

May I take this time to vent my frustration and annoyance about all the South Africans here in Australia?

Firstly, your constant moan and groan about South Africa wherever you go, especially to other South Africans and Australians is revolting. For heaven’s sake - you’re in Aus now. Stop complaining or are you still looking for ways to justify your very emotional sad move to Aus and this is keeping you still in some way linked to home?

Secondly, may I add how saddened I feel when we visit South Africans and all they do is talking about changing to Australians and embracing Australians and their culture. So you might say "nothing wrong with that?" Well there is. You will NEVER be an Aussie. It is good to embrace all the new opportunities and activities and embrace the freedom, but for heaven’s sake, don’t shove it down our throats. Not everybody wants to change as badly as you.

'Embrace their culture'

You will not believe at how many South Africans when you arrive here will tell you "You’re in Australia now, you must embrace their culture". I was also bombarded with "Please don’t come visit us too much, we just managed to get recognised by the Australians, we would love to visit with them more often"  or "I’m in Aus now, why make friends with South Africans? I’m here to change" or I think the best was from an Afrikaans lady "moet asseblief nie ons drumpel deur trap nie, ons is Aussies nou, ons is vriende net met Aussies" or "Please only talk English with us and our kids now" (Afrikaans people). WHAT? I mean seriously, it’s the same people who Blog about how they don’t want Afrikaans to die. Pffft! I am Afrikaans too so please don’t think I pick on you, this example is fact.

It sickens me how many people want to change. As if we don’t have an Identity to cling on to. We grew up South Africans, we braai, we eat biltong, we watch rugby, we brag about our well behaved smart kids some South African kids may even stand out more with manners. Why? We brought them up the South African way!

So maybe I want to say, Good Riddance to all the South Africans who live abroad and made up their mind by changing and staying. I don’t know why so many people just want to throw away their heritage and identities. Most sickening to me is how no South Africans really look after each other here. You know, one might think ok, we couldn’t stand together in South Africa, we were outnumbered and pressured by other pressures we have no control of but now, you’re in a country where it really is going well with you and we still don’t stand together? Except on Rugby matches?

To explain myself, I went for an interview, and although I am not looking for favours, I was interviewed by a South African, who told me over the phone that she doubts they will put us together since she is South African too. I got declined purely because she said no. It’s like singing a little kids song. Teasing you because I am here and you’re not. So no sour grapes there. But seriously?

Stick together

One thing I can hand the Chinese and Indians is that they stick together - clothes, identity, and religion. Even by not knowing each other they attend the same activities, they help each other with jobs, they even stay in same suburbs, with their own cultural shops. They too have bad heritage but they manage to stick together regardless of place.

Why do South Africans want to divide and change?

It’s good to embrace the Aussie activities, be part of communities, but to give up who you are and where you come from?

So you might say "Yes but our country drove us here". Fact is, this was still your choice. Yes there might not be as many opportunities and it is unsafe. I fully understand all your reasons, hence my reasons being here. It is very fair. Yes you might say "South Africa did nothing for me or my family". Truth is South Africa is just a land. The politics is maybe what brought you here, the fear, and I fully understand that.

I really think that if South Africans can’t even stand together here in a country where it is going so well, we would not stand together in South Africa like we should have, which might even have made a world’s difference.

No need to change

I too pray for change in South Africa but I am not going to give up how I have been brought up, and not say I am South African, there are a lot of things to be proud of too.

I would love to go home one day, so please don’t tell me to change or constantly whinge about the country. For heaven’s sake, SHUT UP!

Just remember: standing in a garage will NOT make you a car. You’re South African. Deal with it.

I have a lot of Australian friends. And I didn’t even need to change!

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

- News24

Get Published!

UPLOAD

Click here
to upload
your article Click here
to upload
your photo Click here
to upload
your video