South African Ambassador Expelled from DC; Possible closing of US Embassy in SA?

[hplusj 326]

Bad news indeed, not just for Saffers looking to immigrate but for all the other countries in the region who use the US embassies in South Africa as well: Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles all would have to transfer their cases elsewhere.   Perhaps Nairobi?  Dar es Salaam?  Just avoid Lagos at all costs, yikes.  Anyway, it's just speculation right now but as US-SA relations continue to disintegrate, it might just happen.

 

 

[TBoneTX 46,700]

If South Africa gets its act together, maybe this won't be necessary for long.

 

I have no specific knowledge, but my guess is that Nairobi would be the only consulate on the east-ish coast of Africa that might have the wherewithal to handle transfers.

 

A bigger concern for me would be how and where "U.S. Citizen Services" would be handled.

Edited March 16 by TBoneTX

[hplusj 326]

3 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

If South Africa gets its act together, maybe this won't be necessary for long.

 

I have no specific knowledge, but my guess is that Nairobi would be the only consulate on the east-ish coast of Africa that might have the wherewithal to handle transfers.

 

A bigger concern for me would be how and where "U.S. Citizen Services" would be handled.

The very idea of South Africa getting its act together, is pretty damn laughable.  The country is truly run by morons.

 

I think you're right though, Nairobi might be the selection, and that is a haul for people.  I think it's like a 5 hour flight from Jo-berg, obviously longer from the Western Cape.

 

If the embassy poofs, I already told Jon I will not be paying SA a visit until it's reinstated, which may not be in our lifetime.  His dad isn't getting any younger, either.  Really heartbreaking to think that it may be in our best interests to leave it all behind, not even to visit again.

[TBoneTX 46,700]

8 minutes ago, hplusj said:

If the embassy poofs, I already told Jon I will not be paying SA a visit until it's reinstated

Smart thinking, I agree.

9 minutes ago, hplusj said:

His dad isn't getting any younger, either.  Really heartbreaking to think that it may be in our best interests to leave it all behind, not even to visit again.

For sure.  Could Dad emigrate somewhere where you could visit him?

10 minutes ago, hplusj said:

Nairobi might be the selection, and that is a haul for people.  I think it's like a 5 hour flight from Jo-berg, obviously longer from the Western Cape.

That long?  Holy mackerel.

11 minutes ago, hplusj said:

The country is truly run by morons.

Where's the +1,000 upvote button?   

[TBoneTX 46,700]

13 minutes ago, hplusj said:

Nairobi might be the selection

Or Addis Ababa, even farther.  I'm going to ping somebody who should have more insights.

[hplusj 326]

His dad's in his eighties now, remarried and with many stepchildren and step grandchildren.  He's not going anywhere.  Same is true of Jon's sister and her husband.  They live in relative comfort for Saffers, not really gauging how precarious it seems from the outside, to have to live behind high walls and ignore the daily blackouts.  

 

His mom (originally Rhodesian) will be our focus after Jon gains citizenship.  She's remarried and in Australia currently, but the circle of support is a bit limited.  She's fine for now.  Hopefully we will be in the right financial position to bring her our way when the time comes.

[TBoneTX 46,700]

Good luck, health, and safety to all related Saffers.