I am descended from settlers. Dutch settlers, Huguenot settlers, 1820 settlers and possibly a Malay settler. They all came to Africa so long ago that for generations we have not even had contact with any family in the mother countries, we are just pure SA. When I was 21 I had no relatives living overseas, just a few in the Rhodesias but that does'nt count. Now, 50 years later, I have more cousins living overseas than in SA. The family has increased the populations of the USA, the UK, France, New Zealand and Australia. As far as friends are concerned very few are left here. Even my lifelong friend from army days has migrated at age 71 to Scotland.
A friend and his wife have just returned from a visit to their children in Australia. On the way back they stopped in Perth to visit friends of theirs. These friends threw a party for them inviting only others they knew from SA. There were 70 people at the party and not only were they all from SA, but from Benoni and Boksburg alone!
The latest blow is a niece and her husband who travelled to London to assist with a family matter and have now sent a signal that they are not coming back! Hubby will return to sell up but niece is staying awaiting his return.
I wish all these relatives and friends well. In fact, I think more should go. But it does make me sad.
My loss is personal. The economic loss to the country, counting in all the other migrants, is staggering.
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