Wednesday

18-06-2025 Vol 19

‘This Is My Country’: The Emotional Resistance to Leaving South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa —As political uncertainty deepens and economic pressures mount in South Africa, many white South Africans, particularly of Afrikaner descent, consider emigration. But amid the statistics and speculation, another powerful force persists: the emotional refusal to leave.

The refrain is consistent and heartfelt across provinces, cities, and rural farmsteads: “This is my country.” For many, especially older generations who can trace their ancestry to South Africa for more than 300 years, abandoning the land of their birth feels like betrayal—both to their past and to their principles.

While thousands have already sought second citizenships or relocated abroad, a significant portion of the Afrikaner community continues to resist leaving, not out of naivety or denial, but from a deep, ancestral connection to the soil, the culture, and a fiercely rooted sense of identity.

This press release explores the emotional landscape shaping this resistance, the growing tension between heart and head, and how services offered by Amicus International Consulting provide legal and dignified solutions for those who choose to stay, while still preparing for uncertain futures.

A Heritage Too Deep to Abandon

For many Afrikaners, South Africa is not merely a geographic location—it is a legacy. Families that have lived in the Western Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape for generations often speak of the land with reverence. 

Farms passed down for centuries, graveyards where ancestors are buried, and Afrikaans as a first language all create a potent emotional and cultural web.

“My great-grandfather fought in the Anglo-Boer War,” said one farmer from Mpumalanga. “My father tilled this land, and I’ve raised my children on it. Leaving would be like cutting off a limb.”

This emotional resistance is not confined to the countryside. In urban centers like Pretoria and Stellenbosch, Afrikaner identity is reinforced through universities, churches, and cultural institutions. These strongholds of history create community ties that can be difficult to replicate abroad.

The Emotional Weight of Belonging

“This is my country” encapsulates a collective narrative of sacrifice, survival, and sovereignty. For many Afrikaners, emigration feels like surrender. It is the acknowledgment that they are no longer welcome in the country they helped build, where they still pay taxes, educate their children, and invest in businesses.

A schoolteacher in Bloemfontein summarized the emotional toll: “I’m scared for the future, yes. But how do I explain to my parents that I’m leaving the only country they’ve ever known? How do I tell my children they’re giving up the only home they’ve ever had?”

Political and Economic Uncertainty Create Pressure

Despite the emotional connection, the country’s worsening socio-economic conditions push many to reconsider. Load shedding (scheduled blackouts), government corruption, rising crime, and inflation have eroded quality of life and trust in leadership.

Though white South Africans still hold a disproportionately large share of the economy, many feel increasingly sidelined by policies such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), affirmative action, and land reform rhetoric.

This friction between emotional loyalty and practical concerns leads many to explore legal pathways to establish plan B options, without entirely abandoning South Africa.

Case Study 1: The Du Preez Family’s Two-Continent Life

The Du Preez family from George, South Africa, recently acquired Portuguese citizenship through ancestral ties facilitated by Amicus International Consulting. While they continue living and working in South Africa, they spend part of the year in Lisbon, where their children attend a bilingual international school.

“We didn’t want to emigrate. We wanted to empower ourselves,” said Mr. Du Preez. “This is our home. But we also recognize that we need to prepare in case things deteriorate further.”

The Du Preez family retains ownership of their property and agricultural investments in South Africa while maintaining legal residency in Europe.

When Emigration Feels Like Betrayal

One of the most profound emotional hurdles facing Afrikaners considering relocation is the perception of betrayal. Leaving can feel like turning one’s back on those who can’t go: aging parents, employees, or communities without the financial means to emigrate.

“I could move to Australia tomorrow,” said a business owner in Paarl. “But what happens to the 50 people I employ? What happens to my church? My language? My culture? You don’t just pack those into a suitcase.”

The Role of Faith and Tradition

Religion plays a pivotal role in the emotional resistance to emigration. Many Afrikaners belong to longstanding Protestant denominations with deep local roots. Church networks serve not only as spiritual centers but also as social support systems.

“God placed me here for a reason,” said one pastor in the Northern Cape. “We are to be a light in dark times, not run from them.”

Traditional values—family, duty, perseverance—also serve as emotional anchors. These values are often cited by older generations who endured apartheid-era isolation and international sanctions, yet remained in South Africa.

Case Study 2: Choosing Legal Flexibility Without Emotional Exit

In 2023, an Afrikaner family in Pretoria consulted Amicus International Consulting to secure Caribbean citizenship through Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program. The family invested $150,000 in Grenada’s National Transformation Fund and received passports within six months.

Despite having legal access to over 140 countries, including the EU, they have remained in South Africa.

“This was not about leaving,” said the family patriarch. “It was about options. If the situation turns dangerous—politically or financially—we now have a lawful escape route. But I intend to stay and fight for my country.”

Amicus International: Solutions for Those Who Want to Stay—But Be Ready

Amicus International Consulting has seen a sharp rise in clients from South Africa in the past three years. Many of them are not seeking to relocate immediately but want legal, compliant safeguards.

“Most of our clients are not trying to run,” said an Amicus spokesperson. “They’re trying to prepare. It’s possible to love your country and still plan for contingencies.”

Amicus offers services such as:

  • Second citizenships through investment, ancestry, or naturalization
  • Legal name and identity changes for personal security
  • Global tax planning and asset protection
  • Residency-by-investment programs in Europe, the UAE, and the Americas
  • Biometric-proof identity solutions for digital protection

These services are delivered legally, ethically, and fully compliant with international regulations, offering clients peace of mind without the stigma of exile or flight.

Case Study 3: Emotional Stability Through Legal Planning

A young family in Stellenbosch chose to retain their South African roots while quietly establishing a second home in Spain. Working with Amicus, they obtained Spanish Golden Visas, invested in a local property, and enrolled their children in online international schools with in-person options abroad.

“We’re still here,” the mother said. “But we’ve removed the panic. We’ve taken control of our future instead of letting fear dictate our decisions.”

Between Hope and Realism: A National Dilemma

For white South Africans who believe deeply in the country’s potential, leaving still feels premature—even cowardly. But many acknowledge that hoping for change is not the same as preparing for turbulence.

The emotional resistance to leaving is not ignorance—it is informed by love, loyalty, and cultural identity. But realism is growing. Even those determined to stay are increasingly aware that the future may demand flexibility.

Second Citizenship: A Bridge Between Two Worlds

For those who feel torn, second citizenship offers a rare solution: the ability to remain in South Africa with dignity, while quietly securing global rights.

“I didn’t leave my country,” said one Amicus client. “I simply made sure my country can never trap me.”

About Amicus International Consulting

Amicus International Consulting is a global leader in second citizenship acquisition, legal identity change, and offshore financial planning. With clients in over 60 countries, Amicus offers lawful, confidential, and strategic pathways for individuals seeking global mobility, asset protection, and personal safety.

Amicus specializes in:

  • Legal second passports
  • Identity reconstruction
  • Residency planning
  • Privacy-first financial structures
  • Crisis planning for politically vulnerable individuals

Whether clients want to relocate or remain rooted in their homeland, Amicus provides security and control in an increasingly unpredictable world.

📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca

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Headlines Team