Americans living the dream right here in Mzansi
Image: Screenshot / Iamkourtneyjad
Sometimes we forget just how lucky we are to call South Africa home.
Sure, we have our fair share of challenges, but there is something magical here that keeps people falling in love with our country.
Ask the Americans who have packed up their lives and moved here, and they will tell you all about it.
For them, the cost of living can feel like a bargain compared to back home in the US.
Of course, like any move to a foreign country, it is not without its challenges.
They have to adjust to our food, which can be an adventure on its own, and they also need to wrap their heads around the many different languages spoken here.
Then there's South African slang, which can be equally confusing. For example, 'now now' could mean anything from two minutes to two hours, and the word 'shame' has a variety of meanings.
Many Americans living in South Africa have shared their experiences on TikTok.
One such African American is @Iamkourtneyjade, who posts about everything from the food she tries to how different life is here compared to the US.
In one of her videos, she explains how people in Cape Town are far more relaxed and focused on enjoying life rather than the hustle culture she is used to in America.
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She says the move has been a reset for her nervous system.
A pinned video on her account describes the differences she noticed in South African malls.
Aside from the presence of security and the cleanliness, she was amazed that banks are located inside malls.
In one particular mall, she even came across a car dealership, which was a surprise.
For her, the bottom line is that you can find almost everything under one roof, from pharmacies to coffee shops.
Another American who calls South Africa home is @livingthedreamwithtia, who has lived here for over four years.
She proudly calls herself a Capetonian and is now learning to speak local languages such as Afrikaans and Xhosa.
An African American content creator on @voiceofourancestorch also shares his Cape Town experience.
Like many others, he says he is living his best life because of the affordability, which contributes to a better quality of life.
He especially loves the wide variety of food available thanks to the country's diverse cultures.
When it comes to the cost of living, @bigsbuda often speaks about how he now lives in a house he could only have dreamt of in the US. He describes this as 'living the soft life.'
He also appreciates being able to walk down the street without being harassed, particularly because he lives in a white neighbourhood.
These are just a few examples of African Americans who have made our beautiful country their home and who appreciate it in ways that we sometimes overlook.
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