Life in SA better than US, says disillusioned returning citizen

The grass isn’t always greener outside the country, according to Sholto Keet, 44, a South African who has lived most of his life in the US.

Keet emigrated to the US as a teenager and is looking to return to South Africa after battling with the US system that denied him social security and disability benefits due to his citizenship.

“I am currently in Oregon City, but I am in the process of selling my home. I hope to come back this November, which is the best time to sail. I will be bringing my huskies back with me.

“I already have a boat lined up to buy once I sell my house, and there should also be enough for a small place in SA,” he said.

From KZN to the USA

Keet, who was born in 1980 in Joburg, moved to Oregon at the age of 16 with his parents, who had applied for work permits and green cards and allowed residency.

“We moved around a bit [in SA] and eventually lived in Ashburton outside Pietermaritzburg, where I finished primary school at Pelham and began high school at Alexandra High in Pietermaritzburg.

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“We had a smallholding farm growing tomatoes on a couple of acres, rented, while my mother and father both worked other jobs,” he said.

However, his parents decided to move to the US after his mother’s business got muscled out by Shell.

“She sold plant chemicals to farmers and clients dwindled as farmers were allowed less and less resources and water,” he said.

Injury on the job

Keet joined the US Army after getting an age waiver and turned 18 while in basic training. Years later he underwent lower back surgery when doctors found that he had partially crushed his L4 vertebrae during service.

“I ended up getting two surgeries and was diagnosed with a bad back and knees and had a full disability rating from the Veterans Administration because they had amputated and removed a portion of my vertebrae,” he said.

Keet said that was when he discovered there was prejudice and dual standards people encountered even in the US.

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‘Just another number’

“In the end, you might just find yourself as another number who they have no problem screwing over to save money. In applying for social security to acknowledge my disabilities, however, and get benefits, they have denied me even though the Feds and doctors state that I am disabled,” he said.

Keet said he was receiving a disability benefit from the military, which was enough to live off if he returned to South Africa.

Retiring in SA

“But it’s barely enough to get by here [in the US]. And because they have denied my social security as well as my equal legal rights and standing when it comes to my daughters and my boat, I have decided to retire back to South Africa, even though I am eligible for US citizenship,” he said.

Keet said if he was awarded US citizenship, he would lose his South African citizenship because SA doesn’t allow dual citizenship. “America allows it, but not SA,” he said.

He said while he was concerned about the current state of South Africa, he had no other choice and was trying to sell his house in the US to pay off the mortgage and hopefully raise enough to afford a place in South Africa.

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