‘We’re giving up a lot’: South African family prepares to return home from Australia

After two-and-a-half years in Australia, Roxy and her family are preparing to return to SA. While the move is in the best interests of her children, she admits she is heartbroken to leave behind the life she has built in Melbourne.

A South African mother is preparing to walk away from the life she has always dreamed of after making the heartbreaking decision to return home with her family.

Roxy, who has spent two-and-a-half years living in Australia, has opened up about the emotional turmoil of leaving behind a country she has grown to love.

The family initially moved abroad believing Australia would offer their children a brighter future. Better opportunities, greater security, and an improved quality of life were among the reasons behind their decision.

But there was one thing they had not anticipated. Their children struggled to find a sense of belonging.

Now, despite loving her life in Melbourne, Roxy says she knows returning to SA is the right decision for her children.

“What we didn't fully appreciate was that a better future just isn't about safety and opportunities. It's also about feeling like you belong. And that's definitely something that our children have really struggled with here,” she said.

The decision has left her facing a painful reality. She is giving up a life in which she personally flourished to put her children's happiness first.

Roxy said she had fallen in love with Australia's lifestyle, independence, and freedom.

She had also rebuilt her career in the corporate world, formed relationships with colleagues, and enjoyed everything Melbourne had to offer.

From rooftop bars and incredible restaurants to sporting events, concerts, and travel, she had embraced the opportunities that came with living abroad.

Financially, the family had also enjoyed a level of freedom she believes they would not have experienced had they remained in SA.

Leaving means giving up the comfort, opportunities, and future they had worked so hard to build.

“I feel like we're giving up a lot. Not just in the life that we've built, but for potential opportunities for our future as well. And that sacrifice at the moment is weighing very heavily on me,” she said.

But there is another reality waiting for them back home.

While Roxy loves SA and misses her family and friends, she admitted that the thought of returning to the country's challenges has made the decision even harder.

She pointed to crime, security concerns, and infrastructure problems, saying South Africans can become so accustomed to these issues that they stop noticing just how much they affect everyday life.

Living in Australia, which she described as a well-run first-world country, has changed her perspective.

She now sees the challenges facing SA through a different lens.

Despite these fears, she is hoping the excitement of reuniting with loved ones will eventually outweigh the sadness of leaving.

For now, however, she is allowing herself to mourn what could have been.

“I can feel emotional and sad about leaving, but also be a bit excited about what the future will hold in SA,” she said.

The family hopes to return to SA before Christmas, where they plan to spend the festive season with their loved ones.