South African Life – Seite 2

Hello, Bonjour and Sawubona from some uncertain times all over the world. Friday the 13th of March seemed to be such a lucky day for me. I was at the South African embassy in Berlin trying to apply for my working permit visa for a second time. This time my request went through, I could provide all documents to the satisfaction of the embassy and was as happy as I could be (I will post my advices on my next post). Now, just a couple of days later, it looks all so different.

„Ramaphosa declares National State of Disaster, enforces travel bans amid COVID-19 pandemic“

Cyril Ramaphosa, president of the Republic of South Africa has announced the inevitable raft of measures to come: the cabinet has decided to enforce travel bans on foreign nationals from high-risk countries, such as Germany. The ban is effective from 18 Match 2020. First of all it does feel weird to see that Germany is being declared as a high-risk country in many parts of our world. Second, which is even more important, with 61 confirmed cases as per today, the numbers of infected COVID 19 cases keep rising in South Africa as well. When thinking of the living circumstances of a huge number of people in the townships it is of utmost importance to get this virus under control.

However, it hit me quite hard when I read the next few words that the cabinet has also decided to revoke visas of foreign nationals from high-risk countries and that South Africa will not be issuing visas to foreigners from those countries. Well, this really are some news to be digested as I struggled so much to finally apply for my working visa and a few days later the effort was actually worth nothing. Here I go, not knowing to the full extend what this will mean for my move to Cape Town. The next weeks, I believe I, will have to make a plan just as about the whole rest of the world.

Having a documents ready for the application

I hope everyone stays safe, thinks of others that might be very much in danger if infected with this virus and our small to medium sized operators (e.g. in the tourism branch) that are at risk to survive this crisis. I know it’s not easy to think about holidays and it might be easier to cancel it all instead of postponing. But keep in mind that cancellations could mean for small operators that we will not find them on the market anymore after the world has overcome COVID 19. There will hopefully be a time after the virus full of joy and holidays. When postponing instead of cancelling you would also have something to look ahead already now while saving others as well.

Joyful times with Ride Zimbabwe in June 2019

Until I know what this travel ban will bring to me, I keep reminiscing about my last holiday in Cape Town, the city I will hopefully call home one day.

Lovely outride in Noordhoek beach, November 2018

Stunning view from Cape Point, November 2018

On the hike to the top of the Tablemountain, November 2018

My lessons learned:

Visas are fragile – they can open you doors on one day and close them the next;
Making a plan – becomes suddenly a new important part of life in Europe;
Embassy struggles seem to be easy – when you compare them to corona.

Cheers to wandering the world and the wonders of our lives – bye bye, salut and sala kahle ∞

Hello, Bonjour and Sawubona from a new adventure, that is already lining up at the horizon: I will move to another continent and start living and working in Cape Town, South Africa! It’s finally been settled and a new chapter will soon present other kinds of adventures to me. Everything is going to be quick now, if I manage to survive the visa process (see next blog with advices I wish someone could have given me beforehand). April will be the first month where my new home will be in the Rainbow Nation. Being basically addicted to Africa and its beautiful landscapes, this is a dream come true for me. I can still not believe how this all fits into perfect shape.

A year ago, I was packing bags and preparing myself for an unforgettable time in Zimbabwe, where I was volunteering in the bushlands of the private game reserve Cawston Wildlife Estate for three months.

Not even one and a half years ago, I got my bags ready for Cape Town, to spent amazing holidays in „Slaapstad“. It was there, where I started to fall in love with the city home to the iconic Table Mountain and framed by white beaches. It was then, when I thought „This is the city I want to work and spend my life“. But you know, I thought it was just one of these sentences you tell yourself, you shortly dream about, then you forget and move on with your real life. This time it was however bound to be different. This time my dream moved on and worked its way into my reality by mysterious and perfect ways. This time my dream changes my live!

Soon, I will start working for my German employer in South Africa, that sends me off to one of the most southern points, to Mother City and I am more than delighted. Sometimes, I just thank god for his ideas of paths for my live. Sometimes, I just can’t believe to be so very lucky to have a wonderful husband who made everything possible to join me into the Rainbow Nation. It still sounds like a surreal dream to me, that I will soon be living in Africa, in an extraordinary country, in between the famous moutain, the largest wine route and the wild ocean.

„Be prepared to fall in love“, was what I was told before I headed to Cape Town for my first time. „Be prepared to settle in“, is what I am looking for now. I do know it’s not going to be easy all times and it surely will be a huge change to live in a country with economical, political and historical challenges. But here I come loadshedding, and I am happy for that move. I can’t wait to live my African dream! Cape Town surely isn’t like the African bush I always long for and South Africa surely isn’t the same as the wild Zimbabwe. However, Mother City and the Rainbow Nation can offer landscapes equally beautiful and wildlife sightings equally adventurous as in the untouched ground of Zim. But also crime rates and offenses to a different level.

Be a warrior not a worrier!
Anonymous

So how best to prepare for a move from a safe country in Europe to an adventurous one in Africa?

Well, first to settle all important details with the employer;
Second, be patient, patient and patient;
Get the visa done and again be patient;
Then, get the household packed into plenty of little boxes;
Gather information about what can be imported, what is restricted and how much are the taxes on imported goods;
Fill in endless forms of never ending paper work;
And again, be patient, patient and patient;
Write a summary of all stock to be brought into South Africa (all for the lovely customs procedure).

My lessons learned:

Fight for your dreams – they will come true, eventually;
Don’t start worrying too early – it only takes away your peace and joy of today;
Survive the visa process – be prepared to spend plenty of joyful time in the embassy.

Cheers to wandering the world and the wonders of our lives – bye bye, salut and sala kahle ∞

Kategorie: South African Life

Moving not moving

Off to settle down in Mother City