“We Are Faking It”: SA Man Comes Clean About Reality and Struggles of Living in America, SA Debates

• A man living in America took to social media to call out South Africans who move abroad and glamorise their lives, all while struggling financially
• The man shared his thoughts in a candid video on TikTok, and it gained much traction and started an online debate
• Social media users agreed, sharing their similar experiences of financial struggles and the pressure to portray a luxurious lifestyle on social media

A local man living abroad started a major conversation by calling out locals who pretend to be living a life of luxury overseas.

The clip, shared by TikTok user @faffytragosm, resonated with many people, who debated the pressure of portraying soft living on social media.

Sitting in his car, @faffytragosm expressed his frustration with people who leave Mzansi and then look down on those back home. He said that these individuals often use social media to portray a glamorous life that is not real. He explained that many people living overseas are actually struggling, living from paycheck to paycheck, with most of their income going towards debt.

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The truth about life abroad

He noted that some people even go as far as to borrow money for content creation. He pointed out that they rent expensive cars, like Teslas, just to stay relevant and maintain a false image of luxury for their followers back in Mzansi.

He shared his concern that many people here at home assume that all South Africans living abroad are enjoying the same luxurious lifestyle, even without them posting such content. He pleaded for people to portray a more honest reality. Another point he brought up was that rent was extremely expensive in the US and often consumes half of their salaries, forcing some people to work multiple jobs with no rest.

Mzansi reacts to the man's video

The video gained traction, with social media users flooding the comments to share their experiences and frustrations. Many in different parts of the globe agreed with his views and shared how costly it was to live abroad, mentioning that they lived just to pay bills and get by. They confirmed that the notion of the soft life was a misconception.

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Some shared that while they had nothing to show for their time abroad, they would not return to South Africa. Others mentioned that after living overseas, they realised that life in Mzansi was not as bad as they had thought and that things would be better if the country had a working government.

User @LifeResetWithBoni said:

"I felt so poor in the UK, never again! Tell me why I should live in a 56-story building with amaphara."

User @mphoramaphiri shared:

"I stay in Los Angeles, and I haven’t seen America dream. We are living for bills 😭."

User @amanda__khanya commented:

"Some comments are dusting me 😂😭. What I’ll say is the results of being here vary, and you gotta set goals when you leave SA. No one owes you or promised you anything. You gotta work towards creating your own version of the American dream."

User @natashaujumvimbi added:

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"That's why lately we're seeing Americans moving to S.A., because apparently, it's going down there. You're telling the truth 👏💯."

User @_thabang_m said:

"It depends on the type of work you do. I was not struggling back home (I had paid off my car and had just bought an apartment before I left). I’m not struggling abroad. I am earning well above the median for expats. It’s not everyone who makes a lot, but the stronger currency helps. My problem is also that it’s nicer working here, no racism & tribalism. I might only go back to retire."

User @Julia_🇿🇦🇱🇺 added:

"That’s so true, I’m in Europe and we are faking. Come to London, you will see 😭."

Watch the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News article about working in America

• A Swati woman serving in the US Army provided a sincere and fascinating look into her highly specialised and dangerous military role.
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Source: Briefly News