16 Things South Africans Miss When Living Abroad

So what do South Africans miss when living abroad? For a start – “Your mother” (Jou ma…) insults will never quite have the same level of burn.

1. South Africans miss a proper “braai”

The crackling of fire. The delicious aroma of flavours. The biltong starters. The general lack of excuse needed to have a braai. I could go on…

2. Table Mountain

South Africans need to make an annual pilgrimage to Table Mountain to ask the Gods to bless our sports teams and beat Australia in cricket and rugby.

3. Unleashing our inner Bokke fan!

This is an integral part of our culture.

4. South African slang

With 11 official languages our slang is a kaleidoscope of the best way to insult someone, compliment them and invent new units of time.

5. Our coastline

Can you even?

6. Koeksusters

Ducks and #koeksusters

A photo posted by Karin Johns (@karinjohns) on Apr 13, 2013 at 8:01am PDT

Deep fried sticky high cholesterol goodness. (See koeksuster recipe here.)

7. Hearing the South African accent

Getting goosebumps with Jack Black. #nailedit #goosebumpsmovie #dailyshow #jackblack

A photo posted by The Daily Show (@thedailyshow) on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:13pm PDT

At least, we can tune into The Daily Show when the struggle gets too real.

9. Saying “Sorry” even when it’s not our fault

Just let us sympathise and be sorry. Or we might just explode.

9. Highveld lightning storms

Who doesn’t miss watching mother nature at her finest while curled up in a blanket with some hot chocolate and rusks?

10. Biltong

Join us for an epic evening at @PonceCityMarket on October 10th! Tickets for #PartyatPonce are available now: www.partyatponce.net

A photo posted by Biltong Bar (@biltongbar) on Oct 5, 2015 at 7:27am PDT

Bless the souls who have tried and failed to bring this culinary delight to other parts of the world. It’s just not the same. (You can try make your own biltong here.)

11. The Weather

#Namaqualand in full bloom. Photo by @scherithaaa #MeetSouthAfrica #spring #NorthernCape

A photo posted by South African Tourism (@meetsouthafrica) on Sep 1, 2015 at 1:17pm PDT

Anywhere else is either too hot or too cold.

12. Free Drinkable Tap Water

There is nothing like drinking water from your own tap without the risk of dying.

13. Bunny chow

Helllloooooo carbs! Is it me you’ve been looking for?

14. Scenic nature getaways

So many options, so little time.

15. Understanding memes like this

Oh. Johannesburg. We still love you.

16. And of course, the wildlife!