Why #ImStaying in South Africa

Over the last few weeks the #ImStaying Facebook page has received a lot of attention. Unsurprisingly so, since everywhere I go people are discussing the "fact" that a growing number of people are seemingly emigrating. Stories of whole streets selling up or significant numbers of children leaving schools are bandied about.

I'm a little skeptical about this and have asked some of the embassies whether the number of people applying for work permits have indeed increased dramatically. Although none of them would give me real numbers they were willing to say anecdotally that numbers have increased, but not dramatically. What they were willing to confirm was that the profile of those applying has changed. It seems that it is no longer white South Africans looking for greener pastures, but also many black professionals.

I'm often asked what my opinion is about emigrating.