Far away families.

It is a sad phenomenon in South Africa that many family members are separated by thousands of kilometres. People still make the decision to leave this country for many reasons perhaps safer shores, to find employment or out of fear that the political situation may deteriorate. Some families leave in tact and others do not. This means that even with huge advances in communication, the natural family day to day interaction breaks down. When I was young I remember how difficult it was when snail mail or a very expensive, booked overseas call was the only way to pass news along and of course a telegram was never usually positive. A phone call is wonderful, but often things that needed to be said are forgotten. Nothing beats a face to face catch-up chat. Travelling from South Africa to other countries is prohibitively expensive with the weak Rand causing exchange rates to be exorbitant. Not within the means of most. If one does manage to go, the trip is tinged with a nagging sadness at having to leave again. Overseas family communication seems to be just one long goodbye with no guarantee of ever seeing each other again. It is rather isolated here on the tip of Africa. When bad things happen it is just awful to have to stand by the cell phone or computer waiting for news. The normal thing to do would be to go to those you want to be with, those who need you to share a cup of tea and a hug. On the other hand it makes every interaction very special, it really makes one appreciate family. But never the less, I believe families should stay together and I miss mine very much.