Fertilehealthy

Thank you

Rupa has awarded me the “You Make My Day” award! Thank you, Rupa! I am very pleased!

I hate having to choose people to pass this on to, because all my readers are special to me. Therefore I’m passing this on to all of you who visit regularly and especially those who comment. Your interest, concern and friendship really do make my day!

I want to especially thank Nicole for the comment she left a few minutes ago. She said:

Your country is making headlines around the world today. I hope you and yours are safe. Big hugs to you. Where would you prefer to emigrate to, if it did come to that?

I am sickened by the reports in the newspapers and on television. I am also very afraid. Not because we are in imminent danger, but because I believe that these attacks are the cause of the frustration that the poor are feeling because the government have not delivered on their promises. I think that the days of stability (despite the high crime rate) may be coming to an end and that the violence may spread to other population groups (remember that the population is made up of various tribes and groups that are historically not the best of friends).

The scenes on CNN this morning reminded me of the State of Emergency in the 1980’s and early 1990’s when the police and armed forces were forced to intervene in tribal fighting in the townships. And while these things are happening in the townships surrounding Johannesburg at the moment, it affects all of us. Already reports are suggesting that the violence will spread to Cape Town. And immigrants don’t only live in townships. In my neighborhood we have many people from all over Africa, who have come here because their own countries were unable to support them.

This does bring the question of emigrating to the forefront again. We’re speaking to people who have moved to Australia and New Zealand at present to find out as much as we can. For us it’s a question of money. We have assets, but in a depressed economy we may not get enough for them to start a new life somewhere else. Craig and I are not in fields that are needed elsewhere, like medicine or teaching - we’re self-employed business owners. We have no close ancestral ties to other countries. Of course we would like to live in the English speaking world (but preferably not the UK). That basically leaves the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Some are easier to get into than others. We are definitely doing our homework!

Just as immigrants are not welcomed with open arms here, the above countries also have widespread resistance among their own populations to immigration…

Ultimately we may have to go to Botswana, to the northwest of South Africa. Botswana is probably the most stable country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong economy, a less diverse population and a very low tolerance of crime and violence. My friend Charlotte was there recently and she loved it.

This is a huge decision. There are many things to consider. And we are definitely considering.

In the meantime we can only follow the news with horror and concern. And I’ll breathe a lot easier when my husband is home safe, since our business is in a township.