Simon Dingle with his #SAis “call-to-arms” on Twitter prompted me to share this. I’ve been living in South Africa now for nearly 7 years, and I have permanent residency and that little green official ID document. #SAis my home.

I decided to stay in South Africa after less than 2 years being here – but to get that permanent residency, I had to go through lots of red-tape, lots of forms, medical checks, police clearance checks, and a whole bunch of bureaucracy.

What they also needed was a “motivational letter” informing the Minister of Home Affairs why I wanted residency in South Africa. Simon’s call-to-arms reminded me of the letter I wrote. While it was written over 4 years ago – I think it still rings true for me.

I now have a fiancé, bought, sold and bought a house/home, have 2 dogs, 2 cats, started my own successful business, and am getting married in September to my beautiful South African wife-to-be Lisa. #SAis my home.

Department of Home Affairs

Harrison Street,

Johannesburg

South Africa

25th January 2005

To whom it may concern,

This letter is to support my application for permanent residency in South Africa.

I arrived in South Africa in January 2003 as part of an inter-company transfer. My reason for leaving the Irish office of the company I worked for was to travel abroad, gain international experience and to relieve myself of my ‘itchy feet’ after having worked in England and Ireland for over 9 years, the last three of which had been in Ireland.

In the short two years I have lived here, I have strongly identified with the country of South Africa and feel pride in it and enthusiasm for it. The quality of life, the climate and the business opportunities on offer, make it a very attractive place to live and to prosper.

So many of my friends had no intention of holidaying in such a ‘violent, poor and backward’ country - or so they had heard - prior to me moving to Johannesburg. I have had numerous friends over for holidays since – some of them for 2 months, some for 2 weeks, and some even just for a long weekend. Not one has returned home without rave reviews.

South Africa currently finds itself in a situation in which more skilled persons are leaving than entering the country. This recorded exodus of skills has caused concern for some and has resulted in a shortage of skilled public relations practitioners in South Africa. This I have seen first-hand due to being an integral part of the recruitment process for the company i work for. While the situation may not be as bad as in the 1990’s in that the brain drain is not worsening - it has stabilised - the economy of a developing country, like South Africa, cannot afford the loss of skilled people.

I am seriously committed to settling in South Africa permanently and to investing my skills, assets, knowledge and experience for the benefit of myself and the people of South Africa.

I have over 6 years of experience in public relations; I have a Diploma and a Degree in Business Management, as well as a Diploma in Public Relations. I have worked with a selection of the most successful, exciting, international and South African clients. I believe I can bring a lot to the table.

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 can really, really can make a difference. Opportunity is also a significant motivator, in that my quality of life and salary can compare that which I had in Ireland.

South Africa is a country where I believe I can write my own story, make a difference and be noticed.

Regards,

Cian Mac Eochaidh