I actually cannot believe that someone thought this was a good marketing idea.
One of South Africa's retailers named Checkers ran some adverts in Australia and the UK over the last few days showing price comparisons informing the ex pats of what they are missing. When I read about this I just thought who are they trying to kid here. Firstly you cannot compare as the wage structures are so different between these 2 countries and South Africa. A good salary here you would struggle to live in the UK as the cost of living is way higher.
I am in the process of organising to leave and I know the majority who can't leave would love to be able to do so as well. Prices are one thing to compare if you are doing like for like products but this is not going to hit home to what the expats are missing as they know full well why they left.
Load shedding is something that has become part of every day life in South Africa as already today we have lost 4 hours and will have another 2 hour lost tonight. That is not quality of life and is regarded as the pure basics of living. Water disruptions are also occurring due to the power shortages as pump stations cannot complete redirecting water to the required areas. This is just the start and have been warned about this disruption this week.
Crime is a major factor of why the people left in the first place as this has been on an alarming increase. Living behind electric fences and razor wire covered boundary walls is in many ways like living in your own prison.
I am sure Checkers would never pose the question as to why the expats left for greener pastures as the answers would be telling. So what if your grocery bill is 20% higher as least you have a fair crack of getting a job and don't have to deal with all the racism that exists here currently. If you are not black you are not wanted and that is the blatant honest truth. This is apartheid in reverse and it is sickening to see every single day.
I could go on and on about what is wrong with this place but that would be too depressing. The ones who have left and have settled and made a life for themselves are the lucky ones as things have deteriorated so much just in a very short period of time.
Maybe Checkers will get some coverage with this even though they don't have stores overseas. I am sure many will be discussing this point of view which will only highlight all the negatives of the country yet again. My post later tonight highlights how load shedding has impacted businesses which you would normally not even consider.
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