Do you still have something to say? Do you feel strongly about SA or an overseas country? CLICK HERE to vent your feelings and talk about it.

And the response from our users was fiery. Whether you support SA or a foreign destination, you definitely do so with vehemence. We collated the different opinions in this intense debate and present a selection of what you had to say:

Too personal
At times, readers strongly disagreed with all of our writers. The articles we published offered personal opinions and experiences, so of course everyone will have different viewpoints. What one person loves, another will hate – it’s simple.

While some people felt Canadians to be unfriendly, others found them to be very sociable and enjoyed the Canadian life. Everybody admitted that the winters were terrible but that the scenery was incredible.

Mixed feelings
Most readers pointed out that London is on the expensive side for many, with tiny accommodation, high rental, and long commutes on an overcrowded tube. But on the plus side, jobs are easier to find and readers were unanimous in confessing the lure of the exchange rate. Most people also admitted that the weather is terrible. Despite this, many preferred the city because they felt safe and secure, they thought more opportunities were available, and that the money was better.

The job factor
Probably the strongest big pull factor for London was the availability of jobs and the lack of affirmative action policies.

As Craig O’Shaughnessy said, “The biggest positive factor was that when I arrived (in the UK) I could apply for and get properly considered for ANY job that I was qualified for. It was a strange feeling, it took me a while to get used to it and I never knew how it had affected me until the feeling wasn’t there any more.”

Craig’s statement isn’t true for everybody of course, as it can be very difficult to get a permanent job overseas on a South African passport, but even part-time work is well paid relative to SA. One person remarked that, “The travel aspect is only a consolation prize as you do not get to do it that often.”

Crime & corruption
Many people said they were worried about crime and violence in South Africa, and said that future political instability was a very real threat. A few readers pointed out that there’s also plenty of crime in London, and that, as with any big city, you should expect to take precautions in some areas.

Hilton Gray pointed out that while phone calls are very cheap and the service from British Telecom is excellent, the English roads are a mess. “England does not have roads, it has alleyways!” he complained.

Thumbs up to SA
Opinions were sharply divided as to whether it was worth staying in South Africa, and many felt that the quality of life was far better in SA than in the UK or Canada. But Michael Johnson commented that in London, “here at least we have hope.”

Norman Naidoo, disagreed, saying, “I am optimistic because of the fact that just as many people leave SA as come in. I have worked in many African countries that are considered dangerous, but you still find people leaving European comforts for African freedoms.”

Others, like Jenny Collins, said they were willing to take South Africa, warts and all. “Like I have always said I would rather be gunned down senselessly in South Africa than wither away miserably in a country I can’t stand,” she said.

Wayne Spray was passionate about South Africa. “This is frontier country, a continent of extremes and dreams, all folded into one,” he enthused.

Alistair Francis pointed out that South Africans often have a very bad image and behave badly when abroad. “I am tired of being judged as racist, homophobic, and disgustingly rude – simply because so many South Africans forget their manners as they walk through passport control at Heathrow. Our culture has suffered from being isolated and it’s now coming to the fore, my generation has no way of knowing how to behave in a foreign country because our parents never had the opportunity to teach us how.”

But Robin Elliott, a South African living in Canada, had the last word. “Our circumstances don’t dictate our happiness or success – we do. It’s easy to name, blame, complain and shame. No country is perfect.”

Do you still have something to say? Do you feel strongly about SA or an overseas country? CLICK HERE to vent your feelings and talk about it.