DarkHelmet
8th November 2006, 04:01 AM
The crime here in South Africa is getting closer and closer to home. We decided to investigate our options for moving out of South Africa a few weeks ago. This was after two gunpoint robberies in short succession in our street and 3 close friends/colleagues being hijacked. Last Friday my little sister in law was visiting friends and they were robbed while she was there – fortunately no-one was injured.
I am getting anxious about the political climate in the country and am uncertain where that is going to lead. Government is enforcing Black Empowerment rules and I feel it is like apartheid in reverse. I currently employ 2 Indians and 3 Africans but government still insists that I become BEE complaint and that costs a lot of money.
My business has been running successfully for the past 6 years and I have this month for the first time broken even. My departure will not too negatively affect the business and the staff I currently employ can run it with remote assistance from time to time. It will however not be able to support me on foreign soil – I will need gainful employment to pursue opportunities abroad.
My age is also counting against me – I turn 33 in January and I cannot let that linger too long as options are already diminishing for relocating to other countries.
Why New Zealand? We are exploring options in both New Zealand and Australia. Continental vs. Island living? I have always wanted a lakeside abode with my aircriaft, on floats, parked next to the dock. Currently I fly a Microlight Trike (weight shift) and I am on the verge of doing my instructor rating. In South Africa you cannot charge for flipping unless you are at least an instructor with 200 total hours flown – Grade C. Thus me leaning towards New Zealand.
Being in IT a decent Internet connection is of the utmost importance to both of us. Australia has the better connections in the larger cities from what my Internet research has shown.
My other half is also in IT (as you might have gathered) - a specialist in .NET development, SQL, C#. He frequently contracts out on behalf of Microsoft to large clients.
My mother in law is currently 43 and holds a Pre-primary Higher Educational Diploma from the College of Education of South Africa and an Advanced Pre-Primary Educational Diploma from the Pretoria College of Education. She has 16 years teaching experience. She has also been dabbling in real estate the past 4 years.
The sister in law is finishing final year of school this year and is keen to Au Pair. I suggested she goes where we plan to relocate to ;)
Timing – If I could have my way I would be out of here tomorrow – but logistically I know it is impossible. Houses, cars, pets, debt etc that needs to be taken care of.
Ian, Eon Corna and Augusta
I am getting anxious about the political climate in the country and am uncertain where that is going to lead. Government is enforcing Black Empowerment rules and I feel it is like apartheid in reverse. I currently employ 2 Indians and 3 Africans but government still insists that I become BEE complaint and that costs a lot of money.
My business has been running successfully for the past 6 years and I have this month for the first time broken even. My departure will not too negatively affect the business and the staff I currently employ can run it with remote assistance from time to time. It will however not be able to support me on foreign soil – I will need gainful employment to pursue opportunities abroad.
My age is also counting against me – I turn 33 in January and I cannot let that linger too long as options are already diminishing for relocating to other countries.
Why New Zealand? We are exploring options in both New Zealand and Australia. Continental vs. Island living? I have always wanted a lakeside abode with my aircriaft, on floats, parked next to the dock. Currently I fly a Microlight Trike (weight shift) and I am on the verge of doing my instructor rating. In South Africa you cannot charge for flipping unless you are at least an instructor with 200 total hours flown – Grade C. Thus me leaning towards New Zealand.
Being in IT a decent Internet connection is of the utmost importance to both of us. Australia has the better connections in the larger cities from what my Internet research has shown.
My other half is also in IT (as you might have gathered) - a specialist in .NET development, SQL, C#. He frequently contracts out on behalf of Microsoft to large clients.
My mother in law is currently 43 and holds a Pre-primary Higher Educational Diploma from the College of Education of South Africa and an Advanced Pre-Primary Educational Diploma from the Pretoria College of Education. She has 16 years teaching experience. She has also been dabbling in real estate the past 4 years.
The sister in law is finishing final year of school this year and is keen to Au Pair. I suggested she goes where we plan to relocate to ;)
Timing – If I could have my way I would be out of here tomorrow – but logistically I know it is impossible. Houses, cars, pets, debt etc that needs to be taken care of.
Ian, Eon Corna and Augusta