A Bitter Pill: The Hidden Costs of Leaving South Africa

I don't normally complain about South Africa online—because honestly, what’s the point? But this time, I’m making an exception.

The Decision to Leave

My wife and I, after many deep discussions, sleepless nights, and more than a few tears, made the decision to sell our home and leave South Africa. And let’s be clear—this wasn’t some blind chase for "making it big overseas." It wasn’t about luxury or some glamorous lifestyle abroad. It was about something far more fundamental: the ability to live with basic human dignity and a predictable future.

We wanted:

• To feel safe in our home. Not to live behind electric fences, constantly worried about crime, not needing to strategize where we park our car at night or whether we can safely stop at a traffic light.
• To plan for the future in a system that functions. One where laws, contracts, and financial systems actually mean something, rather than being subject to overnight policy changes, corruption, and crumbling infrastructure.
• To exist without constantly biting our tongues. South Africa’s political climate is toxic, divisive, and increasingly hostile toward people like us. If you’re white and still in SA, you’re expected to accept that you are unwelcome—pay your taxes, shut up, and expect nothing in return.

We Played by the Rules—And It Still Wasn't Enough

We are, by all accounts, "model citizens." We paid our taxes (knowing full well much of it was disappearing into a depths of corruption). We followed the law. We respected our neighbors. We contributed positively to our communities. We weren’t looking for loopholes or handouts—just a fair shot at building a stable life.

But even after leaving, it turns out the failures of the South African government follow you.

The Reality of Starting Over

One of the biggest adjustments to life in Europe is retirement planning—something that actually works here. Switzerland, for example, has a structured system called the 3 Pillar System, which provides a roadmap for financial security in old age. Unlike South Africa, where your retirement savings are at the mercy of a volatile currency and collapsing governance, here you can actually build something that lasts.

So, two weeks after arriving, we sat down with a financial advisor. She outlined a solid (albeit aggressive) savings plan for us—one that would mean sacrificing a bit of short-term fun money, but would ensure we could retire without relying on external assistance. Exactly what any responsible, self-sufficient person should be doing.

Then came the gut punch:

We can’t even open a retirement account.

Why? Because South Africa is on the FATF Grey List.

For those unfamiliar, South Africa was officially placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List just over a month ago. This means that internationally, South Africans are now classified as a financial risk, lumped in with countries notorious for money laundering and fraud.

It doesn’t matter that we personally never engaged in corruption. It doesn’t matter that we obeyed the law. The mere fact that we were born in SA means we are too “high risk” to be trusted with a retirement account.

This is what corruption does. It doesn’t just hurt the poorest of the poor—it follows every single South African, no matter where in the world they go. The criminals who gutted the country stole more than just money—they stole credibility, opportunity, and even the ability to start over clean.

The Bitter Reality

Right now, I feel like the scum of the earth—not because of anything I’ve done, but because of where I come from. And yet, the true villains? The corrupt politicians and power-hungry elites who bled South Africa dry? They will never face consequences. They’ll continue living in their multi-million dollar estates, laughing over fine dining, completely insulated from the fallout of their own actions.

So no, they won’t ever pay for their crimes. But I hope—at the very least—that tonight, after devouring their luxury meals, they get some heartburn. 😂

Because that might just be the only justice they ever face.