Leave the great indoorsnotes on the journey

Yesterday an interesting trend was started on Twitter.  It started when Simon Dingle posted the following update:

Want to start a new trend. #SAis – We’re constantly told what South Africa isn’t. I think it’s time to tell the world what SA is. Thoughts?

Well, in true Twitter fashion, we all responded.  Pretty soon the #SAis hashtag (short for “South Africa is”) spread like wildfire, and it is really inspiring to read through the posts (you can click here to do a real-time search for Twitter updates with the #SAis hashtag).

The updates are predominantly positive, and I still find it amazing that all South Africans seem to feel exactly the same way about their country.  I pretty much nodded my head at every one of the updates.  It is a testament to the strength of the culture when there is such unity in our diversity.

I wanted to pull out and post some of my favorite #SAis updates.  Here they are:

But the best update, the one that sums it all up, comes from Simon Dingle himself, the guy who started this trend:

These days there is also no shortage of articles and blog posts by foreigners/expats returning home and loving it.  South Africa, fit for purpose? is one that caught my eye today.  Here’s an excerpt:

Look, South Africa can be edgy and you need to be vigilant. I’d say that rule of thumb applies to every single city in England on a Friday or Saturday night. Do you feel safe as the great weekend chunder-fest gets under way?

But let’s talk people. And in South Africa, you’ll find warmth and openness whereever you go. There’s difference, too, a sense of vitality and honesty that is refreshing. You feel alive here, aware of the great possibilties. It’s not perfect, there are kinks, dangers, but there’s an intoxicating buzz, too.

While you’re at it, you should really also read #SAis my home, a great blog post by an Irish immigrant to South Africa.  I love this part – an excerpt from the cover letter of his application for permanent residency:

I am especially excited by the new, more forward-looking approach that South Africans are adopting with which to view themselves, the country and the challenges that the country faces. South Africa is a country with great needs, but even greater potential.

While Aids, crime, poverty and unemployment remain significant challenges; they should be seen as potential catalysts for remarkable transformation. Either we choose to embrace South Africa with a positive, constructive and engaging spirit, or we choose to submit to pessimism, fear and misery. That’s it. Nothing complicated really.

What is the most prominent thought that underlines my desire to stay in South Africa? Not the lifestyle, not friends or family…. But the feeling that in this country, you really, really can make a difference.  South Africa is a country where I believe I can write my own story, make a difference and be noticed.

And as for me… After reading through much of today’s SA news, there wasn’t much more I could add to the conversation, except this:

Update on June 2nd: It looks like the trend is really taking off now, thanks to an excellent article in Business Day (Why your country needs you to sign up for a Twitter account) by Simon Barber.  Keep #SAis alive, people!