business@iafrica.com reader, 'Thinker' adds his two cents to the expat debate/debacle.

After nearly ten years abroad, I have foreign nationality for myself and my family hence I'm not affected by any foreign law that demands work be given to foreign nationals ahead of expats as would be the case in the UK.

Unless the UK can find their own qualified doctors, nurses, teachers and other specific skills, the expats have nothing to worry about. For years now, these skills have been lacking and replaced by foreign labour. The British education system has for a long time failed where these skills are needed as the learners prefer to live off the government, go abroad or do jobs that are today out sourced to third world or eastern countries. It will take them years to achieve these skills again and in the quantity required so expats are safe. Expats can get residency after three years and apply for citizenship after that. As a citizen, you are no longer in competition with British counterparts.

I live in France and am here by professional choice. I have advanced further in my career than ever would have been possible in South Africa. In South Africa I worked for a company where if you didn't belong to the old boys club, you didn't get anywhere. Here I get judged on performance. If I excel, I get rewarded for it. The lifestyle is different. The people are different. Once you take a step towards them and get involved, you quickly adapt and forget that which you think you left behind.

The electorate is a very educated

What is comforting is that in terms of politics, the electorate here is a very educated, very well informed one. People will support political party A, but vote party B just so there will be adequate opposition. They have the intelligence to think that far. The infrastructure is very good, service delivery everything you'd expect and unless you in the midst of Paris in the wrong spot, like me, you sleep with windows open, go shopping without locking the door, forget to lock the car and still find it and your belongings there in the morning.

While the place has it's advantages and disadvantages, the problems are never all consuming as the powers that be and the people in general have the wisdom to overcome it.

I think for people in South Africa, those that stay benefit a lot if they are business oriented. Yet all the financial success does nothing for your quality of life if you feel you have to have eyes at the back of your head. Some can deal with it, others not, either way it's their choice, I respect them whatever the case.

Some leave and find it greener, others return, sometimes too quickly, because they are too attached to sunny skies and family and friends. But there's nothing wrong with that. Like all choices it's yours and you deal with the consequences as they arrive.

Concerning Zuma, well trying to lure expats back is a nice gesture. For that to be of more substance, he needs to sweeten the deal by ensuring that basic safety and security is assured for all citizens, service delivery is efficient and the country is in good health, better health than when he took over. You could say he needs expats' help to do that. He's asking alot of people to make a huge sacrifice, on top of that, which they've made by leaving in the first place. It's a question of what he can offer to justify the move back and can he deliver?

Take away the sunny skies, beer and biltong, what's your need to stay and take the current lifestyle? It's the classic question for those pondering the stay or leave dilemma.

What's your view? Leave your comments below or email the business team at business@primediaonline.co.za