Expat in Australia Shades South Africa on Safety With Cheeky Video
- A viral TikTok video from Perth prompted South Africans to reflect on everyday realities they often take for granted
- What looks like a small, ordinary moment abroad sparked big conversations about life and safety back home
- For some South Africans, the clip highlighted the difficult trade-offs that come with moving overseas
South Africans are debating safety after an expat’s video showed a contrast in daily life between Australia and home.
Source: TikTok
Sometimes it’s the smallest actions that reveal the biggest differences. A simple video of a parked car in Perth has triggered mixed emotions across South Africa, showing how everyday safety abroad can feel almost unreal back home.
A TikTok video by a Facebook user, Proudly South African expat living in Perth, is raising eyebrows across Mzansi. In a playful yet pointed clip, the creator highlights one everyday freedom Australians enjoy, something that would make most South Africans shake their heads.
The video shows a car parked on a quiet Perth street, with its doors and boot wide open, as groceries are being unpacked in the driveway. The wallet and keys are left inside the vehicle, something many South Africans say they’d never risk. He captioned the video:
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"Things you can do in Australia you probably can’t do in South Africa. Unpack your grocery shopping in your open driveway, with the doors and boot open, and your wallet and keys inside the car, at least not without looking over your shoulder anyway. A safer future for me and my family was probably one of the main reasons I emigrated the first time - and it’s probably one of the top three reasons many South Africans choose to build a life abroad. What other seemingly little things do you love about life in Australia?"
Everyday safety becomes the talking point
It isn’t just about groceries; it’s about peace of mind. Crime stats back home remain high, with thousands of murders and assaults reported in just one quarter. For many, safety is the hidden cost of daily life. In contrast, such a scene would be unthinkable in South Africa due to concerns about theft and personal safety.
These statistics underscore the challenges many South Africans face regarding personal safety. The TikTok video has resonated with viewers both in Australia and South Africa, prompting conversations about the differences in daily life experiences between the two countries.
Source: TikTok
Here's how netizens reacted
Helen Worland said:
"Couldn't find my car keys... I hadn't used the car from Friday lunch til I needed it Monday afternoon. Keys still in the car. We never lock the house. We only close the front door in Winter. The back door is always open. And yes, it is a small country town."
Kevin Keogh said:
"Not all suburbs, but most. Once I left my wallet on the car roof overnight, it was still there in the morning. It is all changing slowly, you can feel it."
Trevor Angus said:
"I love it when people post these sorts of things to justify why they left South Africa. I did that for 20 years and am now very happily living back in South Africa. BTW, there are still areas, even not within estates, where you can do this."
Yasmeen Moses said:
"Never let your guard down, been here for 30 years! One of the things I love about Australia is the sense of security, but you're right, complacency can be a problem. I've had my fair share of experiences with petty theft, and it's always a reminder to be vigilant."
Jose Vieira said:
"Last time I walked to a shop without 1,000% inflated anxiety was 11 years ago when I left."
Shannon Faulconer said:
"I live in Perth and I would not do this without feeling some level of discomfort. But I do like that I can drive with my handbag on the seat next to me."
Paula Ahlschlager said:
"If you live in an estate or many of the small towns in South Africa, then you definitely still do this. We don't lock our car doors, and everything is wide open when we unpack. We also sleep with our doors and windows open in the summer. No burglar bars, no security gates, it’s just normal."
Kelvin Gebers said:
"Can we just stop all these comparisons. Live the way you want wherever you stay. Do what you need to do to stay safe, wherever you are. I come across lots of videos and reports that show that no matter which country you live in, there are issues. I can tell you horror stories from the US, Australia, Europe, and even Asia. It’s not perfect anywhere."
Check out the Facebook reel below:
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Source: Briefly News
