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It’s not easy to take South Africa out of a South African even if the South African moves out of South Africa.

A new survey has identified the key elements that keep expatriates tied to their roots, and it turns out, that the Saffas who have packed and left for ‘greener pastures’ still hold many aspects of our country in high regard.

There are a solid 300 South African online expat social groups worldwide. The survey was shared across these groups, which not only provides a fascinating look into the psyche of expat Saffas, but also points to how far and wide Saffas stretch, and how many of them feel the need to stay connected to the SA community, per The Citizen.

The France Rugby World Cup has kept everyone well and truly connected. South Africans across the board have been on the edge of their seats with the nail-biting matches played by the Springboks, proving that expats may live abroad, but it seems their gees remains at home.

The survey highlighted that 47% of respondents had an unwavering belief that the Boks will play in the final and win the Rugby World Cup; 32% were confident they would at least reach the final.

Our country is also a top destination among SA expats, alongside travellers of other nationalities:

With the Christmas holidays around the corner, 37% of participants said they would prefer Cape Town as their vacation spot. The Kruger National Park was second at 17%, followed by the Drakensberg (11%) and the Natal Coast (nine percent).

Regarding South African cuisine, expats were asked which dish they missed the most, with choices ranging from malva pudding to bunny chow and koeksisters. While okes missed those foods a lot, biltong was confessed as the special snack that 27% regretted leaving behind the most, followed by boerewors (18%).

Then, South Africa proudly boasts some great TV shows, which have followed Saffas around the globe as a reminder of our quirky nation. When asked in the survey about the most memorable South African shows they missed, expats said:

The most fondly remembered was 7de Laan with 27% of the vote, followed by Egoli on 18%. That popular soap opera captivated audiences for over a decade before being cancelled in 2010. These are closely followed by Noot Vir Noot (15%), alongside Generations and Eastern Mosaic.

South African slang is also a huge component of these expats’ daily lives in other countries, with simple terms such as “robot” or “bakkie” used to perplex their new neighbours.

Interestingly, 26% of respondents admitted to using lekker most often, while 36% proudly stated that braai is simply not the same as barbecue. Understandably, many expats still greet others with howzit (12%), while 13% still say eish (which perhaps cannot be said in any other polite way).

The presence of South Africans across the globe can be felt through these online community groups, and through the survey, it is clear that no matter where a Saffa decides to unpack, their hearts are still grounded in South Africa.

[source:citizen]