The number of people turning their backs on South Africa because of power cuts and uncertainty is on the rise. Wealthy Saffers are even buying second passports from island states in the West Indies."The load-shedding is generally seen as the last straw," said lawyer Chris Watters, who is receiving about 10 emigration inquiries a day - instead of the one every two weeks that landed on his desk before Eskom begin flicking the switch.Ryan Rennison, founder of Move Up, said the visa-application specialist was receiving about 10 inquiries an hour about moving to the UK."People no longer feel settled in South Africa and are concerned about the future."The emigrants' principal destinations are the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in that order, Watters said.But most people can't leave."The reality is that not many can afford it, even if they qualify," Watters said. "And all these destinations have tightened up their immigration requirements massively since the economic downturn and their own upsurges in xenophobia, so it is hard to qualify."Rennison said that on April 6 the UK had tightened immigration rules, making it more difficult to apply for a permit, and more expensive. For example, applicants for a work or study visa must pay a National Health Service tax of £200 (about R4000) a year when they apply. They must pay more than locals when using the health service."The May general election in the UK will dictate the future of the immigration rules, with a direct effect on the ability of South Africans to relocate to the UK."The wealthy can buy a passport from an island state, such as StKitts and Nevis, or Antigua, in the West Indies, in exchange for a substantial investment.You could probably swing it for about R5-million...