The decision to pack up and move to the UK has been something that has been in the pipeline for quite some time. In fact, after we both matriculated from high school, we initially thought that maybe we’d take a gap year and head over to the UK for a bit. It seemed like an incredible opportunity at the time—a chance to explore, experience life, and maybe even see where the journey could take us. But, as it often goes, life had other plans. With the lack of documentation and the reality of financial constraints, we found ourselves nowhere near ready to pack our bags, let alone jet off for a holiday or a year abroad. So, the idea was shelved, and life carried on.

But you know what they say—once an idea plants itself in your mind, it’s hard to let go. Over time, as we grew and built our lives together, we realized that the pull to move was still there, and if anything, it was growing stronger. We started to think seriously about what we wanted for our future, and as much as we love South Africa, the circumstances around us started to become more difficult to ignore.

We aren’t saying crime doesn’t happen elsewhere—it absolutely does. But we started to feel unsafe in our own community. Driving at night made us nervous, and walking around our area became something we avoided. It wasn’t just about how we felt, but what we wanted for our future and for our children one day. A safer environment, more opportunities, and a stronger currency became important considerations for us as we planned ahead.

Now, we know some people might roll their eyes or call us dramatic, but the truth is, this is how we feel. We’re not the type to get involved in controversy, but at the end of the day, it’s our life and our future, and we’re the ones who get to decide where we want to build it. And we know that there are many others who feel the same way.

Moving your entire life across the world is not something you do on a whim—it’s a massive decision, one that we’ve weighed carefully. Yes, it’s daunting. Yes, it’s sad to leave family behind. But at the end of the day, we have to think about our future, and the future we want to create for our family. It’s a choice we’ve made with confidence, even if it’s bittersweet.

So while the process hasn’t always been easy, and saying goodbye to loved ones will never be something we look forward to, we’re excited about the path ahead. We’re choosing the life we want to live, and we’re building it together. After all, isn’t that what life’s all about—creating your own journey, one step at a time?