Lessons from abroad

VUYO Mvoko's article, "Homecoming: The return of a baas from abroad is too much for me" (February 19), is filled with misguided, emotive phrases such as "creating heroes out of villains".

VUYO Mvoko's article, "Homecoming: The return of a baas from abroad is too much for me" (February 19), is filled with misguided, emotive phrases such as "creating heroes out of villains".

At one point Mvoko says that he needs to be educated about how it is possible to persuade someone to return to South Africa without massaging egos. I think I can help him.

Here is the first lesson:

"Baas" is a symptom of servility. Skilled South Africans know that you are only a "baas" if the person who calls you that sees himself as a servant. The sooner Mvoko sheds his servile yoke, the better it will be for all of us.

Here is the second lesson:

Skilled South Africans live overseas because - for whatever reason - they could not find work in South Africa.

Just like Mvoko's friend Tembekile, I, too, could not find a job in South Africa. However, unlike Tembekile, I have chosen not to sell cars, but to make a living overseas. If Tembekile is really interested in being an engineer, he may consider going overseas himself.

Here is the third lesson:

Skilled South Africans live overseas because of the crime in South Africa.

In spite of earning a living overseas I still keep my home in South Africa. It was broken into last week. Further, I have a lot of contact with people in South Africa and I do not know anyone back home who has not had something stolen from them in the past six months.

Sadly, it not just theft. Is there a South African, black or white, who has not had a friend, a colleague or family member murdered or at least held at gunpoint?

South Africa has become a violent, lawless place and Mvoko would do well to turn his creative energies to drawing attention to those problems rather than looking over his shoulder for fear that a skilled white person may look to him like a "baas". - Jeff Fearon, Suwanee, US