“This Is So Real”: Mzansi Reacts as American Missionary Speaks About Culture Shocks in South Africa

• Gabriel Thomas said South Africans often hire domestic workers who live in separate houses on the property
• He explained that petrol attendants and car guards still assist people daily, unlike back home in America
• Thomas said locals greet everyone individually before leaving any gathering, no matter how big or small

American missionary Gabriel Thomas has completed one year of living and working in South Africa. He shared three culture shocks that surprised him the most in a video.

Thomas posted the clip on Instagram on 29 June 2026 to mark the milestone. He works as a missionary in local communities across the country.

Few things that stood out

Thomas said having domestic help was the biggest adjustment for him as an American. He explained that many households hire helpers who work during the week. He added that workers sometimes live in separate houses and return home on weekends. In America, he said, people usually pay a company instead of hiring someone directly. He mentioned that his own missionary house has no domestic help at all.

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He also spoke about petrol attendants who pump fuel at filling stations nationwide. Thomas said car guards at shopping centres help drivers park their vehicles safely. He said this level of service felt unusual coming from an independent lifestyle back home.

The missionary said greetings in South Africa are far more personal than in America. He explained that people greet each other individually, even after seeing them earlier. Thomas said guests must greet everyone at a gathering before they leave. He called this warmth one of South Africa’s greatest strengths as a nation.

His post drew mixed reactions from South Africans online. One person said not every household in the country can afford domestic help. Another said the greeting custom stands out compared to other countries they know. Many others welcomed Thomas and thanked him for his missionary work locally.

Watch the video here.

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• An American family who relocated to Mzansi went viral after sharing their deep admiration for South Africa’s national anthem.
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• An American woman sparks a massive online debate after admitting she was unaware of the variety of skin tones found across Africa.

Source: Briefly News