It was not an easy decision to sell my belongings and leave the security of my friends, family, work and future career including studies when my husband suggested we experience his his country together. Although I had already visited South Africa and considering myself to be quite the cosmopolitan type fell in love with the CBD are and Camps bay, I knew it was a huge risk as no longer living at home and completely independent if it all failed It would be difficult to start up again to the same level of living.

Besides I had tried SA for three months and sadly had a difficult time finding acceptance in a small town whilst having my first baby. But after my son turned almost 2 I agreed one last time to give it a go, I was staying at home as mum until I felt ready to go back to work and continue doing the courses I planned to do in the UK, I had my family around for support and this was a challenge. I first made my application in person at Cape Town Home Affairs department in May 2010 and after originally being asked for a fee and sitting in 4and half hour long queues I go to the counter and was yelled at by an angry African male who insisted that people from my country where hassle. He eventually calmed down after embarrassing me and I was given my receipt of application, this is where the process started which has cost me and my family time, money and a great deal of effort to remain positive. I was advised to return within 30days to check on the progress of my relatives permit and that I did, continuously for 5 days before eventually being told to come again in 1-2 weeks time, which I did. Some time passed and countless visits to Home Affairs until I finally got my stamped permit in my British passport to say I was now a temporary resident.

I also in addition had been offered and opportunity to work in the property field which suited my commitments and interests so I submitted the added endorsement with work contract only to still be waiting for that permit 2yrs on. I have been sent from Cape town who say the permit was dispatched Dec 2010 but never arrived, back to Jo burg who say they do not have it, many pointless attempts to find it left me fed up in the end, I lost out on that opportunity. After that disappointing episode I was messed around by several good employers who simply where put off by the forms and declarations they must fill in and the fact that they would have to wait for my papers to return until I could legally start working, economically I have been left in a frustrating situation and being fond of having my own money has driven me to decide on returning home. I have been a victim of four thefts beginning at home the first xmas I was here, to just two weeks ago when I was mugged by three men on the N2 highway when my bakkie broke down completely. I am ok but my cell phone was stolen which now apparently could hold the key to Home Affairs tracking down my new applied for temp resident permit which I made in March 2012 six weeks before the expiry of my previous one.

I have chosen not to apply for permanent residency up until now as I am unsure of my economic chances long term career wise in SA. In hindsight it may have been the better route to go down if I had understood it better through our son who has his SA id number at last, he is three years old. Still I thought I could go into the department and would be advised well and I was incorrect, what actually happened involved many visits and many different forms being passed to me along with requests for fees not applicable to my application. I have found the staff at Cape town central office extremely hostile and have left with the feeling that my business is neither needed or wanted in South Africa. On needing an update and a reference on my new application I was told that the phone that may have had it and was stolen is the only way they could open my file and I may now have to submit a new application despite having a receipt in my hand. It has been a long and extreme!ly stressful experience and I recommend anyone to go directly to an agent, it may be expensive but it will save tears, frustration and they will be more likely to be able to make sure your papers are not lost as mine where. We where young and in love, we still are but I was naïve to think that it would be straight forward, the fact is the system is not straight forward and I have now decided to give up the fight and return home where economically I am free to do as all other citizens, two years of isolation and the inability to even exist on paper has taken its toll and I am no longer prepared to wait, sorry to say but you cannot enjoy the beauty without the means to live freely.