Moving not moving

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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My lessons learned:

1. Visas are fragile – they can open you doors on one day and close them the next;
2. Making a plan – becomes suddenly a new important part of life in Europe;
3. 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 ∞