Where have we been? Where are we going? South Africa bound?

[@Londa_Mkhize]

I clicked on the video because of that shirt. Up the Bucks

[@MelAndMe]

🫡👍🏾

[@alkebulanafricanconversati1728]

Great move guys, just come home 🏡. We need people who will help us build this country, the country has so much greatness ahead, so positive people like yourselves will be great for the country. Just know you have a community of friends and family waiting to embrace you, something I haven't seen anywhere else in my times traveling in different countries overseas

[@MelAndMe]

This is what is UP right there! 🥹 Such a genuine and warm sentiment does wonders for my soul right now, and that is EXACTLY our vision!

[@MatthewsSibanda]

Welcome home , that T-shirt my brother...

[@MelAndMe]

Thanks

[@catrinaknight9844]

Thanks to the both of you. I have subscribed I've found your info informative. We're in the the process of relocating to Joburg I have went back to your previous episodes them have help me in the prepare. Thank you

[@MelAndMe]

👏🏾👏🏾Okay😉👍🏾 Glad that we have been able to provide any information or perspective that might be helpful to you, now or in the future. There are more than a few that have been on this journey toward Mzansi. 😁 I see it as a beautiful thing for us “lost children” to be able to once again connect with the Continent and the people, as we seek knowledge, understanding, and progress - all for the betterment of our People. which I think is well deserved.

[@abm5707]

Already chosen your team 😊 Good choice bro.

[@pphumii]

😂😂😂

[@thabaneshongwe4631]

I live (Midrand) Johannesburg , South Africa. There's been a lot of Americans who've permanently moved this side over the last few years. And I love all the ones I've met. Looking forward to having you in South Africa. And you will feel at home everyday. Goodluck ❤️

[@pphumii]

O maaka

[@MelAndMe]

We initially considered the Midrand area when we first began the journey. We ended up purchasing in JHB South though. Something about the spirit and potential of that place, and the landscapes are breathtaking 😱 to me.

[@MelAndMe]

🫢🤭

[@dimakatso9566]

​@@pphumiiI live in Midrand he is telling the truth. I go to gym with Mark from the Real South Africa. Asad and others live in Midrand. O maka kang?

[@MelAndMe]

(seeing reply to pphumiil) Yes, I have followed their journeys here and there over the past years, and was able to determine based upon the estate communities they highlighted as their own and just general conversations. “Mel and Me” tend to travel the routes less taken, even our present lives and kinda always have. Those northern sections of Joburg seem to be quite attractive to “Americans”, which is fine and I get why and can respect that. It however speaks to us that we should forge a path on the South end, as from a cultural perspective we believe us down on that end would serve us well and the people there - with getting to better know, understand, and appreciate each other as we find ways to serve, collaborate, and share.

[@ndumievoyi6008]

God will carry you through 💗🙏🏾. Welcome home 👊🏾.

[@MelAndMe]

Thank you. 🙌🏾

[@J.Michelle]

Thanks for the update! I'm glad to see you all looking well. I pray that your visa process goes smoothly.

[@MelAndMe]

We hope so too! We’ll be doing our homework to ensure it does.

[@JinneHelpVirHenna]

Missed you guys! Good to hear you are moving forward with your plans. I'll be waiting for you video telling about your daughter's experience here in Mzanzi, 🥸🤠😎😀

[@MelAndMe]

Yes! I will get her to sit down with me soon to do so. 😁

[@morenakhaya655]

U beta wear that T-shirt permanently 😂not the yellow one please

[@PabiM-c2c]

Even when he goes to sleep😂 he mustn't take it off unless he is bathing😂

[@MelAndMe]

I actually wore that yellow one when I recently sat as a panelist on a forum at a community event relating to mobilization for this past presidential election. It was covered by local media and a clip played on TV. I wore it with educational purpose and used it to speak to what I followed and witnessed with SA elections this past May, which is a separate and deeper conversation of course. But yeah… I am essentially immortalized in a Sundowns jersey! 😳🤦🏾‍♂️

[@MelAndMe]

@PabiM-c2c So then the jersey gets to grow crusty. 🤗

[@mzwakhe3219]

​@@MelAndMeStick with Bucs ☠️

[@MelAndMe]

@mzwakhe3219 🤷🏾‍♂️ I’m not being given much of a choice! 🥴

[@abdulkayira5559]

welcome to the motherland. as black people nothing beats the motherland. Wits is pronounced as Vets

[@MelAndMe]

THANK YOU! Things like providing correct pronunciation is so valuable for me/us. I really appreciate that! 😏👍🏾

[@Nyameka-j7z]

​@MelAndMe we got you, fam❤

[@MelAndMe]

@Nyameka-j7z Comforting, and Appreciated. ☺️

[@Sheshe-l3x]

Love the t-shirt, it suits you ❤

[@MelAndMe]

Thank you!!

[@NoT1KnOwN]

I enjoyed watching you two

[@McIntoshZulu]

Good luck with your Visa process thing guys, we ❤you

[@MelAndMe]

appreciate the love. It is returned. 🫶🏾

[@cakes7532]

Glad seeing you guys again and I hope you and your family have been well. And I hope your daughter enjoyed visiting the country and hopefully she'll be able to visit a bit longer next time.

[@MelAndMe]

Most certainly. She is forever connected to SA as she will inherit that residence at some point and will have to manage or determine how to dispose of it. So she will indeed be there from time to time.😊 It was a good experience for her overall.

[@Gaogakwe_M]

It's been a long time since we last heard from you guys; glad to know you're okay. Really enjoyed your take on the outlook of South Africa moving forward, I'm also positive about this new government.

[@MelAndMe]

Thank you, and good to touch base again.

[@alkebulanafricanconversati1728]

You chose the right team bro, I also need that one. I'm coming home in a month's team, I need to get that color

[@MelAndMe]

The choice of color definitely a hit for the club.

[@lazyXENOPHOBICSouthAfrican011]

Come to South Africa. I love EVERYTHING about you 2

[@Jewel_E12]

I'm proud of you guy's, keep going the sky is the limit 🥰

[@MelAndMe]

Thank you so much! In these times, it is greatly appreciated. 🤗

[@chrisboiify]

Allow your son to complete his degree in the US and let him bring all the knowledge to South Africa. He'll be at an advantage and can consider further studies in SA like masters or phd .

[@MelAndMe]

In a perfect world, that would be desired. However, the realities on the ground in the U.S. with the political situation and general climate does not provide that for us at this point. My number one priority is safety for my family, with the ability for them to flourish with our mental health intact. He will have completed his second year of university studies here, and has a solid foundation that he can then bring there and complete, and contribute beyond. We will certainly make the most of the situation. ☺️Appreciate the perspective.

[@JustlukeSA]

Beautiful.

[@JustlukeSA]

Is it me or has this channel grown pretty quickly in the last couple of hours? either way, you're a source of light to myself and many others and may you continue growing and inspiring.

[@MelAndMe]

@JustlukeSA Well… in fairness, the channel has been out here for about a year, and we used to do weekly episodes, then we went on a bit of of hiatus, as we began to see that our most desirable content was the Mzansi-focused, with heavy support from the fam over there. Because we were periodically there and all the “life” stuff on this side has been going on, we really didn’t feel we had much to share to engage and interest the SA audience. However with us now entering that realm of planting our feet there on a full-time basis, presents an opportunity to share in that experience and gain perspective… and share with those who might come behind us for their education and benefit. We just strive to be practical and GENUINE in our particular endeavor. 😇

[@eddieives378]

Good to see yall folks. I just thought about y'all in the last week. I chatted with you a couple times in this media. There's a video next to yours just now when I logged in. I was interviewed by the real South Africa about obtaining my South African visa. I'm watching the rest of your video now, and welcome back.

[@MelAndMe]

ok cool. Thanks for staying in touch. Give me the title of the vid (or link) and I will check out. Good luck with everything!

[@eddieives378]

@MelAndMe The Real South Africa Mr. Ives can come and go as he please to South Africa, about three weeks ago

[@MelAndMe]

I checked it out. Learned a couple things. We will certainly scrutinize the finer details of things that might (or might not necessarily) be published in the guidance online for our specific Visa apps. Congratulations on your Visa and new journey with SA. 👏🏾👏🏾

[@eddieives378]

@MelAndMe Thank you and it's doable on your own. Good luck with everything when you're ready. That retirement visa require R 37,000 a month. The permanent visa require 12,000,000 zar in savings and or property combined. I will be peeping at the other visa requirements myself.

[@Seeta_sa_gauta]

I am sure the majority of the people will be excited to have you here . Where you are celebrated and not tolerated

[@MelAndMe]

We can certainly appreciate that sentiment. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏿

[@juanitagarris9548]

Can’t wait to link up in SA

[@MelAndMe]

Word! ✊🏾Will be great to see you again when we do. I know it’s been since ‘10…

[@letholeqoako5077]

That 👕 qualifies you for permanent residency.

[@MelAndMe]

We’ll TAKE IT!😄👍🏾

[@afrikawewant5390]

SAA will be coming back soon for direct flight

[@MelAndMe]

Will take note.

[@mayibongwedhlomo1002]

#OnceAlways ❤

[@luckyngcobo6073]

We love you here family 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@MelAndMe]

appreciated. We love the peeps there as well. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏿🫶🏾

[@TebogoMainole-t6w]

Buccaneer ❤

[@MelAndMe]

😇

[@katlehomothamaha3026]

That t-shirt doesn't look good on you bro😂. Please get the black and gold one that'll look better. Looking forward to having you here guys. Lots of love🇿🇦

[@MelAndMe]

Some of your comrades will disagree with you, as the thread demonstrates. 😏You will see me with the black and gold on another video (and they will then give me a hard time). 🥴🤦🏾‍♂️ It’ll all remain in fun though for now until we are on that side. Then we’ll have to get something figured out. 🥹🤭

[@geraldmvela7266]

😂😂

[@lifestylepretoria9181]

@@MelAndMe 😂😂 He is lying! You look good in the Pirates jersey and Mamelodi Sundowns jersey.

[@MelAndMe]

@lifestylepretoria9181 You win all the prizes!🥇🏆✈️💰

[@taxxc8461]

I like your shirt. I like it a lot ❤❤

[@MelAndMe]

thanks! Just don’t be angry and give me some grace when you see me wearing one of a rival team. 😂 While the team closest to our residence there is the Chiefs (and I do have their jersey as well), as one who is not a native S. African I really do like each of the teams’ jerseys, and so I wear each of them here in the U.S. - to showcase SA as a whole.

[@mr.blackzonrackz7055]

Your explàination is acceptable Sir but as soon as you move here we are not having it, you will have to choose one team and burn the other jersey

[@kabelontobo303]

@@MelAndMe If you have a Sundowns one you are alright with me bro. 😄

[@MelAndMe]

@kabelontobo303 Ironically, I have gotten the absolute most grief online over that Sundowns jersey when I was seen online wearing it. 🥴🫣I actually have TWO of those! 😝 One fluorescent, and the other electric blue. What I like the most about that jersey is the message. 💡💡It is always a good conversation piece - to explain the meaning of each of those words to people on this side. Here in “America” we unfortunately on too broad of a scale are cold and very self-centered. I really found it interesting that a professional sports team would have displayed as part of its official uniform, a “message”.

[@MelAndMe]

@@mr.blackzonrackz7055 😳😵‍💫Burn?? 🔥🥵🔥

[@ignyification]

not you wearing a Buccaneer T-shirt, good looking my good Sir, they say "Once a Pirate Always a Pirate" #OnceAlways

[@MelAndMe]

Don’t hold it against me though when you see me in a rival jersey! 😂 Mzansi is gonna have to cut us some slack. As an “American” I like all of the jerseys and have been showcasing them over here. 🤷🏾‍♂️ Once we get settled there I will adjust. Kaiser is actually the team closest to our area there (which I have theirs as well). Looking forward to diving into the football madness there.

[@ignyification]

@@MelAndMe lol Brother trust me, you don't wanna be going with that team, they're the worst 😂😂🤣🤣😅😅, just stay a Buccaneer, it is good and for your info Pirates is dubbed the "happy people" for a reason of course, also I know you're a winner at heart so it will make perfect sense if you come this side 😅😅, all those jersey of the rivals? you can donate them you won't be needing them.

[@all_things_africa]

Yo that Orlando Pirates away jersey is fire!!!!!!!!!

[@MelAndMe]

@all_things_africa we searched and searched for the Pirates ALL afternoon, different places and stores at Sandton City, then Mall of Africa. 🥵 After settling for snatching up the latest Sundowns and Chiefs jerseys, we finally began to make our way out of the mall. We walked past a store called “Studio 88”, and that color caught my daughter’s eye from the rack. Slid the hanger back and BOOM! 💥🔥😎

[@MelAndMe]

@@all_things_africa 🗣️Say it again louder for the people in the back!😆It really is!

[@MukholaMukhola-k6k]

I like your shirt, and asseblief avoid a yellow shirt, there are performance issues with the mellow yellow nation

[@MelAndMe]

😆🤦🏾‍♂️😮‍💨

[@Seeta_sa_gauta]

Ok you are a beautiful couple.

[@MelAndMe]

Thank you. I have been fortunate to be a part of this team. Hasn’t been always easy, with the various challenges of life, but it has been fulfilling and something to be thankful for.

[@AfroJamaican]

How was the immigration process?

[@MelAndMe]

We’ll let you know, 😏🤷🏾‍♂️ as we have now entered that realm. All I can say at this point is we scheduled appointment for interview (to deliver immigration packet of application and supporting documentation), with first appt. available early 2025. Gives us time though to really get everything together, as we have multiple people pursuing different types of Visas (for instance, one is a college student). We of course will chronicle the process, realities, obstacles, and frustrations (which hopefully will be few or none) through this channel…

[@AfroJamaican]

@@MelAndMe I was looking at SA too, but I want to start a business as well. Their minimum requirement was $500K USD…. So SA is not for me

[@benjiza0314]

500k rands not dollars ​@AfroJamaican

[@MelAndMe]

@benjiza0314 🤦🏾‍♂️😮‍💨I feel so much better then!🥵 It did seem like a LOT! 😳 Although, if that was the requirement RSA sets then, it’s a respectable and honorable position as a sovereign nation. While I aim for a different Visa classification, at least I know I have another option now. ☺️Maybe we’ll talk about that whole thing more on another video…🤔 Appreciate your sharing that updated detail, by the way. 🤗

[@benjiza0314]

@MelAndMe sorry I'm wrong, u need atleast 5 million rands (270k us dollars) to get a business visa! If u show them that u got this amount then u will get a business visa!!! Or just apply for volunteer visa (3 years)

[@rogerbrown1639]

Wrong t-shirt bro 😁✌

[@MelAndMe]

That’s what I hear🥹…from some. 😏

[@leonkhunanemadihlaba1902]

😢❤😢❤😢❤

[@Rose-n8k7n]

HOPING FOR JACOB ZUMA AS PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 BELONGS TO SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS 🇷🇺👈

[@MelAndMe]

Not quite sure of the point you attempt to make with this, as it appears political. I will give you the opportunity to explain further. Please do.

[@Rose-n8k7n]

@MelAndMe Honestly, Cyril Ramaposa has caused so much pain , corruption, and why only the black and Indian's being killed hence through the most difficult time it's unknown no white family attacks being heard ,currently Cape Town looks like New York City while the other Cities in serious condition TO MY KNOWLEDGE Cyril Ramaposa doesn't care about his people in South Africa ( Neglected)thanks

[@SibusisoMathibela-y3y]

U had to ruin it with that pirates T shirt 😅. Bt its ok

[@MelAndMe]

🤷🏾‍♂️ Somebody’s gotta do it. 😏

[@tkw2500]

Hey Mel & Me podcast team! First off, I just want to say that you are always welcome to move to South Africa 🇿🇦-we would love to have you here! That said, I felt the need to share some thoughts following the recent US elections. Earlier this year, before South Africa headed to the polls, I predicted that Donald Trump would emerge as the president. I even discussed this with a white American friend of mine. It’s important to note that the majority of black people in South Africa were actually rooting for Trump to win. We don’t have much fondness for the blue team, as we tend to view Trump as the "better devil" when it comes to US foreign policy. While domestic politics in the US may not concern us too deeply, we do have strong sentiments about issues like transgender rights and homosexuality, which we feel are not reflective of African culture. Fortunately, South Africa respects the rights of everyone, but we still identify as an African nation. On a lighter note, you might want to check the pronunciation of Wits University. It's actually not pronounced in English but rather in Afrikaans. It could be helpful to get someone to assist you with that! Looking forward to more of your episodes!

[@MelAndMe]

Thanks for tuning in. Given the way that you have stated (and I do think it was in a thoughtful manner), I can understand and even respect your perspective. The only things I will say to it is that distinction between the foreign and domestic implications are key. Donald Trump is by nature an autocrat/authoritarian (no different than Putin, which I also recognize there is partiality with BRICS and such). Hence, his policies line up with that ideology, which for historically oppressed peoples is catastrophic from a historical perspective. If I can make a bit more real…for Black people on the ground in the U.S. it means rolling back civil rights and protections that were gained as a result of generations of struggle since slavery in the U.S., simply because there is fear of a diminishing white majority in numbers in the U.S. and the desire is permanent minority rule by those diminishing numbers. Rolling back of those protections and rights would be the equivalent of rolling back the gains of Black S. Africans to that dreaded Apartheid era. I would never advocate for anything or anyone who would do that to the SA people. “Absolute immunity” for police to “stop and frisk” (show me your papers). These are all realities for Black people on the ground going forward. There are many similarities in the Black existence and struggle from a historical perspective there in SA and the US. I have followed things somewhat on that side, and thus have been privy to some of the challenges and sentiments around the parties, the aims and demographic dynamics in play as far as Cape Town goes especially. Yes, politics is complicated, and it takes a great degree of honesty and openness to tackle. Just thought I would share a bit of perspective. I try to see beyond single issues, because they are deployed as “wedge issues” - to divide while those broader more impactful issues take a back seat. For instance, I am a heterosexual. The only thing someone who chooses to identify as a different sex or even have sex in a manner that does not line up with my thinking can only “offend” me, truth be told. To however allow a corrupt racist police officer to murder me unjustly with “absolute immunity” because he knows he (or she) has the protection of the “policy” is something altogether different. Also, someone did correct to the “Vets” pronunciation. 😏

[@morenakhaya655]

Someone said u cud catch a cheaper flight via Mexico

[@MelAndMe]

@@morenakhaya655 Mexico will probably slam the door in the faces of U.S. citizens with the way our country demonizes theirs. 🙄 Maybe not, but you get my point. Sometimes flying out of different states here in the U.S. can save money as well. Just takes good planning. 👍🏾