The Home Away from Home organisation is helping to repatriate South Africans from all over the world
For the last three weeks, Portuguese couple Alberto, 72, and Fatima, 67, Da Rocha have opened up their home to himCruz arrived in the country on March 19 and was to head over to Spain the next day for a business meeting. His trip was cancelled as borders about the world began to shut to prevent the spread of the virus and he was unable to return home. “With the exchange rate what it is, I am quickly running out of money. A Coke costs R60 and a sandwich R80.
“My name wasn't put onto the list because the authorities said I wasn't a South African. Even when I showed proof of residence. Proof of birth in SA. Proof of my business and my family in SA. They wouldn't budge. We actually had to get a lawyer involved - then suddenly they allowed me entrance back into SA - only thing is that there are no more flights now.”“There could be a flight in the [United Arab Emirates] but it will cost me R39,000. I can't afford that.
The couple, who had rented an Airbnb flatlet, decided they would need a bigger place as they were going to stay indefinitely. But they were running out of money. “Before I met him I was so stressed. Rent and food and baby needs were bleeding our funds. David came to fetch us, he had organised with government that we could travel to the home. When we got there he had stocked the fridge and made his beautiful home look like a hotel. There were even slippers waiting for us. He didn't charge us a cent.”
She took beloved border collie brothers Sox and Bootz with her. But it wasn't exactly the welcoming home she expected. In February Harms began getting her dogs' papers to get them and herself back home. But the red tape for transporting pets became a lengthy process and she still did not have clearance when the borders closed on March 14.“I was very worried about her and I pushed to get her out. All the late nights talking has really bonded us and I consider her a friend now. I told her when all this was over I would come and visit.”Harms took a flight from Helsinki to Frankfurt and back home.
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