7 things South Africans abroad miss the most about home
“7 Irreplaceable Treasures South Africans Miss Most When Living Abroad”
For every expat South African, certain homegrown magic simply can’t be replicated overseas. Here are the heartstring-tugging essentials that keep Mzansi close to their hearts:
1. The Sacred Braai Ritual
More than just grilled meat – it’s the symphony of sizzling boerewors, the snap of Castle Lite bottles, and that irreplaceable camaraderie that turns Sunday afternoons into golden memories.
2. Our Linguistic Symphony
That beautiful chaos of hearing “Howzit!”, “Sawubona”, and “Lekker bru” in one conversation – a linguistic rainbow no other nation can duplicate.
3. Soul Food That Heals Homesickness
When a single bite of:
• Bunny chow’s curry-soaked bread
• Vetkoek’s fluffy embrace
• Melktert’s creamy cinnamon kiss
…can teleport you straight to grandma’s kitchen.
4. Nature’s Grand Theater
From the Drakensberg’s majesty to Cape Point’s crashing waves – our landscapes don’t just inspire postcards, they imprint on your soul.
5. The ‘Ubuntu’ Warmth
Where strangers become friends with one “Howzit”, and shop queues turn into spontaneous therapy sessions. That effortless human connection we took for granted.
6. Beats That Move Your DNA
Whether it’s gqom rattling your bones or Miriam Makeba’s timeless melodies – our music isn’t just heard, it’s felt in the bloodstream.
7. Celebrations That Ignite the Spirit
Heritage Day braais in springbok jerseys, Christmas lunches where three generations dance to kwaito – our celebrations are cultural supernovas of joy.
The Bittersweet Truth:
While the world offers incredible adventures, these seven pillars remain the invisible threads tying every expat South African to the motherland. As one Joburg expat in London confessed: “You can take us out of Mzansi, but you’ll never take Mzansi out of us.”